Nadal in race to be fit for Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal will not defend his Wimbledon title unless he is 100% fit.

Nadal confirmed today that he will travel to London next Tuesday, June 16, to prepare for the tournament after undergoing in-depth medical tests on his troublesome knees for the last 36 hours.

Doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro has carried out a detailed examination on Nadal and insists that the player will be able to return to training shortly.

“I have been playing with pain in my knees for some months now and I simply can’t go on like this,” said Nadal. “The pain was limiting certain movements in my body, which affected me mentally as well.

“After the tests and with the appropriate treatment, we have decided to travel to London next Tuesday.

“I am going to give 200% to be ready for the most important tournament in the world. The tournament that I always dream about.

“I will not go out and play, especially on the Wimbledon Centre Court, if I am not 100% ready to play.”

He told his official website: “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, but I will be working on my recovery through physiotherapy treatments as well as recovery work on the specific muscular area.”

Doctor Ruiz-Cotorro, the Spanish Federation doctor and managing director of the Mapfre Medical Tennis Centre, added: “After the appropriate tests (MRI, ultrasound scans and gammagraphy) Mr Nadal suffers from insertion tendonitis in the superior end of both kneecaps with a light osseous edema.

“His treatment will involve oral anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy as well as progressive muscular exercises.

“Following the 48-hour treatment, Mr Nadal will gradually get back into training.”