D-Day for Rafa

 

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

The 23-year-old, bidding to recover from knee injury, was unconvincing on Thursday when he took part in an exhibition match against Lleyton Hewitt at London’s Hurlingham Club.

The player’s coach and uncle Toni Nadal said after the game, which was lost 6-4, 6-3: “He is having difficulties bending and it seems his treatments aren’t enough.”

He added: “I don’t know [if he will defend his title], we have to wait for 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 the Hewitt 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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