MADRID, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal is still unsure if he
will recover from a nagging knee problem in time to feature in
Spain’s Davis Cup semi-final against the United States next
month.
The world number three has not played since suffering a
shock second-round Wimbledon defeat to Czech Lukas Rosol in
June. He missed the Olympic Games, where he was the defending
champion, and was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open.
“I am feeling the calm that comes from knowing I’ll be back
when I genuinely feel ready to play at the level I really want
to and not have to suffer through every match,” Nadal told
Spanish television on the sidelines of Wednesday’s Super Cup
match between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Asked if he would be fit for the Sept. 14-16 Davis Cup tie
in Gijon, when Spain continue their bid for a fourth crown in
five years, he added: “I don’t know”.
“The truth is I really don’t have any idea and when the time
comes my knee will decide and if the knee is fine then the
captain will decide,” the 26-year-old said.
Due to his physical style of play, Nadal has suffered a
string of injuries during his career, including a foot injury in
2005 and more recently problems with his knees.
Spanish tennis federation (RFET) doctor Angel Ruiz Cotorro
said last month Nadal was suffering from a condition known as
Hoffa’s syndrome, a swelling round the tendon just below the
kneecap in his left leg.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Nick Mulvenney)
