Nadal to make Wimbledon decision
WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
World number one Rafael Nadal says he will decide on Friday whether to defend his Wimbledon men's singles crown.
The Spaniard, plagued by knee problems, struggled with his movement during an exhibition match in London on Thursday, losing 6-4 6-3 to Lleyton Hewitt.
"Today's match was a real test, as close to reality as it could get," said Nadal after his loss to the Australian.
"I will come back and play again and then make my decision about playing at Wimbledon or not."
Nadal is due to face Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday, following which he is scheduled to hold a press conference.
But his participation at Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, is looking increasingly doubtful.
"He is having difficulties bending and it seems his treatments aren't enough," said coach and uncle Toni Nadal.
"I don't know [if he will defend his title], we have to wait for Friday."
Nadal was forced to withdraw from last week's tournament at Queen's Club with knee trouble and underwent intense rehabilitation in Barcelona.
Nadal and Murray practise together
He was diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadricep tendons as well as a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps.
But the 23-year-old looked to be on the mend after practising with Andy Murray at the All England Club on Wednesday.
However, the following day the Spaniard seemed troubled throughout his one hour 20 minute encounter with Hewitt at London's Hurlingham Club.
In Nadal's first match since losing to Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open, the four-times French Open champion looked increasingly frustrated as he repeatedly failed to get to balls he would normally reach.
Hewitt challenged Nadal from the start, forcing him to save two break points in the first game before holding serve.
The Australian then managed to break to love for a 3-2 lead after three unforced errors from Nadal, and held his next service game to love behind a barrage of aces.
Nadal frequently muttered to himself in Spanish after missing shots, and often had to rely on his top-spin forehand to bail him out of trouble.
He had his first break point in the first game of the second set, but Hewitt saved it with a service winner.
Nadal set up another break point at 2-2 with a good forehand volley, but Hewitt produced a forehand winner down the line before holding.
Hewitt broke again for a decisive 4-3 lead after Nadal sent a forehand long, and the Australian converted his second match point after Nadal sent a lunging backhand long as well.
Nadal, who beat Roger Federer in a classic final in 2008, has already said he will not defend his Wimbledon crown if he is not 100%.
And five-time champion Bjorn Borg has raised doubts over Nadal's ability to retain his Wimbledon title.
"Nadal is always a dangerous player because he is the best in the world - but what happened in Paris and then the injury, I am picking Andy Murray or Roger Federer," said the Swede.
"For Nadal to win five in a row (at the French Open) was a big goal this year. I am sure he was very, very disappointed when he went home after Paris.
"That defeat took him many, many days to get over. Nadal is saying he has got an injury, but he has to be fit at Wimbledon if he wants to go all the way, and I do not think he will go all the way this year."
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