LONDON // Rafael Nadal, the world No 1 and defending champion, has withdrawn from next week's grass-court tournament at Queen's Club because of knee trouble. The Spaniard, a surprise fourth-round casualty at the hands of Robin Soderling in the French Open, has been advised by doctors to rest because of ongoing knee problems. He said: "I have been having some problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret, that have not allowed me to always compete at 100 per cent.
"I need to work with my team to recover well, work on my physical condition to be at my top form and get ready for the grass to play at Wimbledon. "I hope I can be ready to compete by then." Wimbledon starts on June 22. He added: "I am very disappointed to miss Queen's, and not defend the title I won last year. I enjoy playing there in front of the very knowledgeable British crowds." The 23-year-old won the title at Queen's last year despite arriving the day after claiming the French Open crown.
He then went on to beat then world No 1 Roger Federer in an epic final to claim his first Wimbledon title. * PA Sport
