poplar
06-09-2009, 11:49 AM
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/uk/news/article_1482438.php/Roddick_tips_injured_Nadal_as_a_Wimbledon_starter_ #ixzz0Hxkw1nQl&C
London - Knee tendinitis veteran Andy Roddick said Tuesday that a bit of treatable joint pain is unlikely to stop Rafael Nadal from defending his Wimbledon title starting in 13 days.
'Rafa has had knee tendinitis for a long time and he's won Grand Slams while he's had it,' said the American after reaching the third round at Queen's club, the grass tune-up he's won four times.
'I'm certainly not going to underestimate Rafa. I think he's going to be there. I think he's going to be fine, and I think he's going to put forth all the effort he has. He's certainly proven that in the past,' said Roddick.
The 26-year-old said he's played with the problem 'for years and years and years and years.'
Nadal said he will fly to London next Tuesday after undergoing medical tests in Barcelona and wait to see how his knee pulls up for Wimbledon, adding that he would not play unless he could go at his usual 100 percent pace.
'There is a positive side for Rafa: it's uncomfortable and it's painful, but it's not something that's going to be a career threatening injury if you play on it. It's kind of a fancy term for overuse,' said Roddick, twice a losing Wimbledon finalist to Roger Federer.
'I don't I ever thought that his Wimbledon defense was in jeopardy,' he said of the world number one, whom he proclaims joint title favourite along with Federer.
But the number six doesn't rule himself totally out either. 'I'm playing a lot better this year than I have in years past, and I've been getting deeper in tournaments more consistently.
'I do love this surface. It's been a while since I've been coming in feeling like I've been playing this well and been healthy for the grass court season. I'm hopeful, but I just want to get through rounds.'
:arrow::arrow::arrow::arrow:
So basically the Nadal camp make quite a fuss about nothing. Well again, I don't find it too surprising.
London - Knee tendinitis veteran Andy Roddick said Tuesday that a bit of treatable joint pain is unlikely to stop Rafael Nadal from defending his Wimbledon title starting in 13 days.
'Rafa has had knee tendinitis for a long time and he's won Grand Slams while he's had it,' said the American after reaching the third round at Queen's club, the grass tune-up he's won four times.
'I'm certainly not going to underestimate Rafa. I think he's going to be there. I think he's going to be fine, and I think he's going to put forth all the effort he has. He's certainly proven that in the past,' said Roddick.
The 26-year-old said he's played with the problem 'for years and years and years and years.'
Nadal said he will fly to London next Tuesday after undergoing medical tests in Barcelona and wait to see how his knee pulls up for Wimbledon, adding that he would not play unless he could go at his usual 100 percent pace.
'There is a positive side for Rafa: it's uncomfortable and it's painful, but it's not something that's going to be a career threatening injury if you play on it. It's kind of a fancy term for overuse,' said Roddick, twice a losing Wimbledon finalist to Roger Federer.
'I don't I ever thought that his Wimbledon defense was in jeopardy,' he said of the world number one, whom he proclaims joint title favourite along with Federer.
But the number six doesn't rule himself totally out either. 'I'm playing a lot better this year than I have in years past, and I've been getting deeper in tournaments more consistently.
'I do love this surface. It's been a while since I've been coming in feeling like I've been playing this well and been healthy for the grass court season. I'm hopeful, but I just want to get through rounds.'
:arrow::arrow::arrow::arrow:
So basically the Nadal camp make quite a fuss about nothing. Well again, I don't find it too surprising.