Nadal told to rest after epic
Rafael Nadal began his first day as Wimbledon champion with an order to rest by doctors following his epic five-hour marathon with Roger Federer in Sunday’s final.
The Spaniard is still struggling with a knee injury suffered in his third round match against Mikhail Youzhny and will not now defend his Mercedes Cup title in Stuttgart this week.
Nadal, 22, flew out to Germany yesterday to apologise to event organisers in person and will now be given as much time as needed to prepare for the build-up to next month’s US Open.
“My doctors have said I need a couple of days rest. I will now get examined for an exact diagnosis” Nadal said. “I only want to return to the court once I am 100% fit.”
When asked if he believed he could withstand the Federer fightback on Sunday night, Nadal added: “I was worried, I was playing against the best player in the world. I tried to be positive and play it point by point, and then wait if I had my chance.
Nadal’s win on Sunday now puts him within striking distance of Federer at the top if the ATP world rankings, released yesterday
The Spaniard has been world No2 for a record 156 consecutive weeks but now lies just 545 ranking points behind his rival.
Britain’s No1 Andy Murray has broken back into the top ten, moving from 11th to ninth after reaching the last eight at Wimbledon, while British women’s No1, Anne Keothavong, is at a career-high 82nd after her first round victory.
