D-Day for Nadal

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:34

The 23-year-old was unconvincing on Thursday when he took part in an exhibition match against former world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

The player’s coach and uncle Toni Nadal said after the game: “He is having difficulties bending and it seems his treatments aren’t enough. I don’t know [if he will defend his title], we have to wait for Friday.”

Nadal, bidding to recover from knee troubles, struggled with his movement during the game against Hewitt at London’s Hurlingham Club, losing 6-4 6-3.

The Spaniard will now decide whether to play at the All England Club after an exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday.

The world number one was forced to withdraw from Queen’s Club last week with knee trouble and was diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadricep tendons and fluid on the kneecaps.

But the 23-year-old looked on course to defend his title after coming through a practice session on Tuesday.

However, Nadal struggled throughout Thursday’s match – his first since losing to Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open to put his place at SW19 in jeopardy.

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