Nadal's Wimbledon defence still in the balance

By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Champion Rafael Nadal's Wimbledon participation still hung in the balance on Thursday after his first outing on grass in 12 months did not go according to plan.
The world number one, troubled by tendinitis in his knees since being knocked out of the French Open in the fourth round last month, struggled with his movement during an exhibition match against Australian Lleyton Hewitt, which he lost 6-4 6-3.
"Rafa is having difficulties bending his knees and it (seems) that his various treatments are not enough," his coach and uncle Toni Nadal told reporters.
Asked if the Spaniard would turn up to defend his title on Monday at the All England Club, he added: "I don't know, we have to wait for tomorrow."
The 23-year-old will decide whether to play at Wimbledon after taking part in a second exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Hurlingham Club on Friday.
Although the way Nadal plays puts a huge amount of pressure on his body and legs -- the exaggerated topspin, the chasing and sliding -- when it comes to the big tournaments he usually manages to play through the pain and flatten his opponents.
But if his hold on the All England Club crown ends in an exclusive sports club in Fulham and not down the road at Wimbledon, it will be a very sad day for world tennis.
"To think he might pull out of Wimbledon is quite frightening," French Open champion Roger Federer said last week after the Spaniard skipped the traditional warm-up tournament at Queen's Club to have treatment on his knees.
With no match practice on grass before this week, Nadal opted to test his fitness at Hurlingham.
BEND DOWN
The match had started promisingly for Nadal as he stepped on court without wearing any support around his troublesome knees.
In his first service game, which lasted four deuces and eight minutes, he bent low to flick a volley winner and also ran around court chasing down the ball during a 17-shot rally.
But as the contest progressed, Nadal and his camp began to get more and more worried.
As Toni Nadal urged him to "bend down" to the ball during the second set, the Spaniard appeared to mutter, "I can't."
By the time the one hour 20 minute match finished, Nadal looked world weary and barely resembled the man who ended Federer's five-year reign at Wimbledon last July. Continued...
Source: Reuters