Emotional Nadal withdraws from Wimbledon

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The world number one labelled his decision as "one of the worst moments in his career" and he becomes only the fourth champion not to defend his title.

The tournament's top seed was due to open his defence of the title against France's Arnaud Clement but Nadal made it clear he was not in the best shape to commit himself to the championship over two weeks.

Nadal, suffering from tendonitis in his knees, had pulled out of Queen's to try to get fit in time but it was obvious during two exhibition matches at Fulham's Hurlingham Club over the last two days, that he was nowhere near his best.

The Spaniard went down to Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets on Thursday and lost to Stanislav Wawrinka on Friday.

His uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, hinted on Thursday that he was not at his best and the player confirmed his decision to withdraw from the tournament in a special press conference at SW19 on Friday night.

"I am not 100%," said Nadal. "I don't feel I am ready to approach a tournament as important as Wimbledon.

"I have decided that I just cannot play this tournament this year. I tried everything, I worked very hard in the last weeks to arrive here in the best condition.

"It was the last test and although I didn't feel terrible I was not close to my best. When I enter a tournament like Wimbledon I want to try to win but my feeling right now is that I am not ready to win.

"Not playing Wimbledon was one of the toughest decisions of my career. But the situation makes the decision a little bit easier. It is tough but at the same time, I have no option. I don't feel ready to compete at 100% for two weeks."