NADAL OPTS OUT OF WIMBLEDON

Rafael Nadal believed he couldn’t win Wimbledon this year because of his achy knees, so he decided it didn’t make sense to try. Nadal withdrew from the grass-court Grand Slam tournament on Friday, three days before it begins, becoming only the second men’s champion in 35 years to decline to defend his Wimbledon title.

“When I start a tournament like Wimbledon, it is to try to win,” the No. 1-ranked Nadal said. “My feeling right now is I’m not ready to play to win.”

A subdued Nadal, wearing a purple T-shirt and white pants, spoke at a news conference on Friday at the All England Club, in the same room where he took questions after beating Roger Federer in the epic 2008 final that ended after 9 pm with light fading. He announced his withdrawal about two hours after losing to 18th-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka in an exhibition match on grass at Hurlingham Club in South London.

“Today was the last test. I didn’t feel terrible but not close to my best,” said Nadal. “I’m just not 100 percent. I just don’t feel ready.”

I think the evaluation was for both knees, but the problem is only one knee, the right one, according to his website. He said he wanted to see how the knee is doing (not the knees).

This is the same knee problem that made him out of the Paris Masters event last year when he was forced out from his match against Nikolay Davydenko. The same pain that caused him missed the Davis Cup final in Argentina, also made him could not play for Masters Cup year end. And he came back stronger and win Australia Open and several masters.

Players have different ability to maintain their body and mind. Agassi had a bad hip injury but see how he could maintain and retired at over 30 yrs of age. Whoever has the strong mental and mind will capable more to maintain their body. No one better than Nadal mentally and physically. He will keep come back and win more grandslams.... Only time can prove it... VAMOS RAFA!!!!