Rafael Nadal: I will give 200 per cent to be fit for my Wimbledon bid

James Olley
9 Jun 2009

Rafael Nadal said today he will give "200 per cent" in his battle to recover from his knee injury in time to defend his Wimbledon title.

The world No1 has been undergoing tests over the last two days to determine whether he can compete at the grasscourt grand slam, which starts on 22 June.

The examinations revealed he is suffering from tendonitis in both kneecaps and although the 23-year-old has postponed a decision on whether to play he will arrive in London next week in the hope he will be okay.

"I have been playing with pain in my knees for some months now and I simply can't go on like this," said the Spaniard. "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 per cent 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 per cent ready to play.

"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."

Nadal won his first Wimbledon title following an epic five-set battle with Roger Federer in what was the Spaniard's third successive final appearance at the All England Club.

Nine days ago his bid for a fifth successive French Open trophy was ended by Robin Soderling and injury then forced him to pull out of this week's AEGON Championships at Queen's.

Andy Roddick moved into the third round at Queen's today with a 6-1,6-4 victory over Belgian Kristof Vliegen having benefited from a punishing training regieme with new coach Larry Stefanki.

Roddick said: "I feel I'm moving better. Getting in shape has allowed me to give myself more of a chance playing different ways. I know I can get to balls and I can possibly do something when I'm there. Larry also has a huge knowledge of other players and it's nice to trade thoughts about other people's tendencies and how to go about a game plan."