World number one Rafael Nadal says he will give "200%" as he bids to be fit in time to defend his Wimbledon title.

The 22-year-old pulled out of Queen's with knee trouble and has been undergoing tests in Barcelona.

"I will give 200% to be at 100% for the most important date in world tennis," said Nadal in a statement on Tuesday.

The Spaniard, who beat Roger Federer in a classic final in 2008, will now undergo intense rehabilitation ahead of the start of Wimbledon on 22 June.

"I will not go out and play on any court, let alone Centre Court at Wimbledon, if I am not 100%," said Nadal.

"I have two difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won't be doing what I like doing most, which is to play tennis.

"I will be working on my recovery through physiotherapy treatments as well as recovery work on the specific muscular area."

Nadal plans to travel to London on 16 June.

The world number one has been suffering ongoing problems with both of his knees and he admitted he had been playing through the pain over recent months.

"The pain was limiting certain movements in my body, which affected me mentally as well," he said.

His unexpectedly early exit from the French Open, where he was beaten in the fourth round by Robin Soderling, allowed him to travel to Barcelona to investigate the problem.

He has been diagnosed with tendonitis in both quadricep tendons as well as a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps.

Nadal defeated his great rival Federer in a five-set epic last year to add the Wimbledon trophy to his four French Open titles.

He went on to topple Federer as world number one, winning a total of eight titles in 2008 including Olympic gold in Beijing.

Federer, who took advantage of Nadal's early elimination to win the French Open on Sunday to equal Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles, says the prospect of Nadal pulling out of Wimbledon is "frightening".

"I don't like to see it, because you want the best to be playing in the biggest events," said the Swiss.

"I only wish him the best and I hope it's not true that he will miss Wimbledon."

World number two Roger Federer has opted not to defend his Gerry Weber Open title, citing exhaustion after his historic French Open triumph.

Federer claimed a record equalling 14th Grand Slam title with victory at Roland Garros on Sunday with his straight-sets triumph over Robin Soderling.

He normally uses the Halle grass-court event to prepare for Wimbledon.

"I sincerely apologise to the tournament organisers, my competitors, and my fans in Germany," said Federer.

"I only hope they will understand that I still feel emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted by the incredible events of the past few days."

"It is hard for me to admit, but I simply cannot imagine giving my best effort in another tournament right away."

"I don't want to risk injury if I am not 100% prepared. I need to rest and recuperate."

The French Open was the only major that had been missing from Federer's CV and winning it saw him equal Pete Sampras's Grand Slam record.

Federer has won the Halle tournament five times and only his withdrawal in 2007 broke his winning run since his first triumph in 2003.

In his absence in Halle, world number four Novak Djokovic is favourite to win, and he opened with a 7-5 6-2 win over Simone Bolelli on Tuesday.

Why I can't wait for Wimbledon.....

Maria Sharapova
Roger Federer's chance of history
A great Summer of Sport begins with the Ashes, the Lions and Wimbledon .

Change the sponsor and put up pics of Sharapova or GTFO, tbh. :good:

Come on Tim!

Give me a Maria pic then....you're the expert.


Mate can't change the sponsor...it's 100 years of tradition....

Come on Ginny!!! :blink:

I hope tiger tit and greg aren't going to be anywhere near the commentary box this year, although they probably will.

:lol:

Greg Rusedski is a great pundit.

When hes on sky, hes the best one there. Hopefully they dont have Peter Flamingo or whatever his name is, the guy who was Johnny Macs double partner.

he knows f all.

Henmans pretty good as well

she be out in the second round anyways with all her grunting. Dont know if she is playing tennis or getting fucked on court with the noise she makes

I really don't understand the fascination that some of you hold for Sharapova.

It's the "oh she's a leggy blonde and wears a skirt, wehay" syndrome at play me thinks. Whilst she is attractive, she's not all that.

And no, I'm not gay.

:goodpost:

and she has acne on her face she looks quite nasty.

Gay

:lol:

:goodpost:

So Andy Murray to win Wimbledon...any takers?

:goodpost:

Attractive, yes, but nothing special.

She's certainly no Kournikova.

Federer to win the mens

Safina to win the womens

Unfortunately with Nadals injury, he wont be fully fit even if he does ake part so we wont have 3 classic finals in a row.

Fed to beat Murray in 3 in the final.

You know what...I can actually see your prediction of the Murray v Feb final coming true....you should make sure people remember that.

Don't you think Safina's a bottler...she's like a Jana Novotna...early years.


I pick Fed to win because I want history and I hate Sampras.

I pick Serena to win the girlies, although I'm hoping for an extended Maria run for all us hot blooded non homosexual males.

For CK and all happy go lucky homosexuals I hope someone like Andy Roddick goes far for you guys.

Not sure what side of the draw Roddick is in but he'll reach the semis if he steers clear of Murray and Federer.

He will then go on to lose to one of them in the Semi.

As for Safina, when she lost the French Open final, pundits were comparing her to some woman player decades ago who lost her first 4 GS Finals as Safina has but then went on to win the next and won many more. Cant remember who the player was. Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, i cant remember. One of them probably. Point is i dont really see anyone being as consistent in the next few years as Safina and she'll go on to dominate the womens side as soon as she wins her first slam which will be this summer.

If you keep challenging, you'll eventually win one and then you can go on.

Much like what the Arsenal side will do eventually

I hate Safina.

I don't know why, but I do.

Oh speaking of womens tennis, Last years junior winner, Laura Robson i think her name was will be in the main one this year

Yeah they've built a ROBSON'S MOUND to go with Henman's Hill in preparation.

She's going to be the plucky Brit who goes out in round 1 having entertained no-one.

She'll be only 15 now wont she?

Il wait a year before watching her matches

:haha:

Murray :bow:

I hope there's grass on it...

Federer will do Murray in 5 sets to win yet another Wimbledon title.

Women's tennis is dull. Bring on the men!!
If only Pat Rafter was still playing :swoon:

Roddick looked in good nick at Queens so I would watch out for him, he should get to the semi's I reckon. I'd like a Federer-Murray final, it won't be as good as last years but should bring out some good tennis.

Yeah I like Roddick too, but can't see him getting past the top two

:lol: owned.

Ok I said I wanted someone other than Federer to win a Grand Slam should he win the French but now I can't decide who.

Murray probably. Or someone like Verdasco? Or Madry Fish for having an awesome name (I'd never heard of him prior to Queens :lol:).

I could support Murray until the first time he does that first pump thing, it annoyed me when Henman done it and it annoys me now when Murray does it. Or anyone for that matter.

No, he's in the 'best-of-the-rest' behind the top 3/4...I haven't seen much of Djokovic but he must be doing something right to keep in the top 4.

Djokovic is very good if a) he can keep his temperament b) he isn't injured and c) it's not sunny.

Eventually it will be a very Bushy Mound.....but at the beginning of her career it will be a little barer.


Obviously due to all the people laying all over it as she becomes more famous.