The conference is still going on right now. He is speaking in Spanish for much of it.
He has been quoted saying:
"To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career."
"Sportsman always play with pain. You really don't know where the limit is."
"I have some time to recover and will work very hard to return as soon as possible."
Excuse me while I take a moment for myself. Hopefully this will get him the rest he so badly needs and do well on the hardcourts season. I will be posting the presser transcript when it's up.
I know this was probably happening, and I even hoped that he wouldn't play if he was just gonna crash out, but I didn't realize it would feel like I've been struck with a bullet. I know it's silly to be emotional over someone I don't know and will probably never meet but that is what I feel.
What a terrible day.
UPDATED: full article from Wimbledon official site.
Rafael Nadal has announced he will not defend his Wimbledon title.
The world number one and top seed had said after the French Open that he would not play Wimbledon if he was not 100% and so it has come to pass.
"I’m here and I'm just not 100%. I'm better than what I was a couple of weeks ago but I don’t feel right," Nadal told a packed press conference on Friday evening at the All England Club.
"To not play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions of my career."
After suffering a shock defeat in the French Open to Robin Soderling, Nadal received treatment on his knees in Barcelona and skipped the tradition Wimbledon warm-up at Queen’s in an effort to be fit for The Championships. He was diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadriceps tendons as well as a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps.
"I tried everything. I didn't feel terrible but also not close to my best. When I enter a tournament my goal is winning and my feeling right now is I'm not ready to win.
"It's very painful for me but I can't play at the tournament this year. It's tough but it is what it is."
Nadal's absence will cause a reshuffle in the men’s singles draw. Nadal's place will be taken by fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro's place will be taken by the 17th seed James Blake. Blake's place will be taken by Jose Arguso of Argentina and a lucky loser will fill Arguso's spot.
Nadal revealed that he had been playing with considerable pain and he didn't know how long he would be out of tennis. But he said he expected to fully recover from his knee problems and that he would have a "long career".
"I played with some problems on the on the knee for the last few months. I've been making efforts to play week after week. The truth is that sportsmen always play with pain and don't know where the limit is, where you can get to. I think I reached that limit now.
"I will work very hard to comeback as soon as possible. One of the problems is I’m thinking more about the knees than what is happening on court and it’s very difficult to play like that."
When Nadal was asked about his many fans and how disappointed they would be that he was not appearing at Wimbledon, the 23-year-old replied: "no more than me".
Nadal also said he was not concerned that his absence would open the door for Roger Federer to reclaim the number one world ranking. "If I lose the number one ranking I’m going to accept it like the four years I was number two and work hard to improve and recover."
Sucks. Probably the right decision though. Rest now and come back strong. Better than crashing early i suppose. Sad....going to lie down and forget 2009.
ReplyDeleteI want to remember the first half of 2009 to get me thro' these hard days. AO title, 4 ATP titles, 44-5 record. Here's to hoping he comes back with a BANGGGG! and kick some serious ASS for later part of 2009!
ReplyDeleteThere, there, Babz. I keep forgetting how young you are. You're supposed to be as emotional as Rafa right now. Like life and death depends upon his playing. Cry it out and punch something (or somebody) if you need to.
ReplyDeleteMe, I just got lust on the line. Now the only player to look forward to ogling is Haas. Maybe Marat and Gilles, too. But they're a far cry from The Human Statue.
*lights candle for loss of hotness at Wimbledon 2009*
Aw you. Stop it, I'm not that young.
ReplyDelete*wipes sniffles*
I feel like watching or reading a really good love story now. Something with a happy ending. Never say I am not overdramatic.
I can't wait until I get to a point where I only have lust on the line.
"I can’t wait until I get to a point where I only have lust on the line."
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it now while you can. It will be gone before you know it. Hmmm...kinda like Rafa's good knees. *dodges more rotten fruit*
Just cry it out until you can't cry anymore. Throw in a good workout or *other* source of expending energy. This, too, shall pass.
I did a 30 minute yoga exercise off a video the other day. It totally defeated me. When it reached 31:47 I was like "you said it was 30 minutes you jerks!!" lol! I need more exercise, all I do is run 30 mins a day with the dogs.
ReplyDeleteIt's so exhausting to be this emotional you know! I cannot believe how upset I am.
Btw natch. What do you think of the second picture? A very nice "expression", huh?
ReplyDeleteGah! How come I can't reply? Drives me freakin' nuts. Stupid computers. *kicks mac*
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot. It's my own idiocy. *drops trou for spanking*
First pic: I like the purple swoosh thingy. Rafa thinks, "I cry because I no like losing."
Seocnd pic: Lleyton (or Stani) says, "Rafa, if you lose, natch will be in Mallorca for two whole weeks."
Third pic: Rafa thinks, "Hmmm...natch in Mallorca...for TWO WEEKS...maybe not so bad after all."
Sad face. I'm dead inside, babz, dead. My avatar tells the story how I feel. His clothes where awesome and he looked totally hot in them, Why God, so not fair. ABC has started giving the horrible promos with Fed, ekkkk. ABFC FTW!
ReplyDelete*hugs Babz*
ReplyDeleteHey chica! I've missed you! Where the hell have I been?! Well no matter, I'm here now and I've come to bathe in the pool of Rafagony. Bllllllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.
*thinks of naked Rafa*
Oooh that def helps.
But still.....BLAH. Today sucks. But honestly, poor baby needs to rest. :( I'm happy he's listening to his body. Smart boy. He will be back, don't you worry. And it will be ever so titilating when he returns! That much I'm sure of. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't gutted, but I'm trying to focus on the positive. Like, for instance, he won't have very many points to defend at the FO & Wimby next year! That's a good new, no? :)
Hey you know what? I meant to tell you - I've been seduced by Murray and have found myself cheering for him lately. Remember when I so did NOT like him? Well I have to admit he's won me over with his dorkiness and his blatant man-crush on Rafa. If you want, we can distract ourselves from the Rafagony by cheering for Muzz here. Lemme know! Love you girl! :)
Where is my avatar? What are you doing World Press?
ReplyDeleteShow my avatar damn it. I'm not in the mood.
ReplyDeleteHee! Stella, I can see your avatar. I have no idea how to do/make one, but I can see yours! It's Rafa biting a Rafanatic, right???? ;)
ReplyDelete(i tried replying @richie's website; the blogger is down; it wouldn't do it; hope babz doesn't mind)
ReplyDeletehey natch,
I know you are just trying to save us some heartbreak. But right now I need something to hope for and believe in; otherwise I'll die.
*sends hugs(tight) and kisses(lingering) to rafa*
Oh, the second pic. Poor baby. Wimbly will SO suck this year. How unfair!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm rooting for Muzz and Nole now. But it just won't be the same...
*lights another candle next to natch's for Rafa's hot Wimbly outfit*
No more sweaty clinging and semi-transparent moments! Nooooo! :(
"I can’t wait until I get to a point where I only have lust on the line."
ReplyDeleteI'm getting there, that's for sure. Since I started lusting after Rafa, there is very little "refinement" left in my fantasies, so to speak. It's pretty much "bang on" all the time with him. You know what I mean, no?
Um...did I just type that? Eh...OK.
To quote another Rafanatic on this page (thanks Sonja), "am I normal"?
Hell, yeah!
There's my avatar. This is for all the haters.
ReplyDelete