Tennis

Wish you were here as Paris tots up injuries

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-22 10:05

Wish you were here as Paris tots up injuries

Spanish world No 2 Rafael Nadal arrives on center court for a training session at Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris on Thursday, three days ahead of the French Open, the second Grand Slam tournament of the season. [Jacques Demarthon/Agence France-Presse]

PARIS - US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro, ATP Tour winner Nikolay Davydenko and ex-women's world No 1 Kim Clisjters have all fallen victim to the gruelling tennis schedule and will miss the French Open.

But they can take inspiration from former French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

Having wrapped up a record sixth Monte Carlo title in April, Nadal stunned organizers of the following week's Barcelona tournament by pulling out.

The Spaniard, who has suffered a series of problems with his knees which meant he was unable to defend his Wimbledon title last year, decided three straight weeks of intense claycourt tennis would put his fitness at risk.

"My goal is to remain healthy and fit," said Nadal, who wanted the week-long break before playing in Rome where he was champion again.

The world No 2 said three straight weeks of elite clay events - Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome - were too much in too short a period, another blast at the ATP calendar which he has long complained is helping to cause injuries and burnout.

"Over the years you gain experience," said Nadal. "I'm being as cautious as possible, I want to have as long a career as possible.

"Tennis isn't like football, you don't know how many matches you will play."

Nadal seems to have learned from his over-playing a year ago, in which he won Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Roma in three weeks, then lost the Madrid final a fortnight later to Roger Federer.

That was followed by a first-ever defeat at the French Open with a loss to Robin Soderling ending his hopes of a fifth successive title in Paris.

This season he swept the Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid Masters and is now widely-expected to regain his French Open title.

Twelve months ago, Argentina's Del Potro pushed Federer to five sets in the semifinals at Roland Garros before going on to defeat the Swiss in the US Open final.

However, the giant Argentine hasn't played since January's Australian Open where he spent almost 15 hours on court and played a total of 18 sets in four matches.

The world No 5 has undergone wrist surgery and will be out of action until September, meaning missing out on his US Open title defense.

Davydenko, six in the world, hasn't played since a second-round pullout at Indian Wells in March and, like Del Potro, has been bedevilled by wrist trouble.

David Nalbandian is another high-profile absentee.

The 28-year-old Argentine, who missed 12 months of action because of a hip injury, is now suffering from hamstring trouble. The former world No 8 has slipped to 150 in the rankings.

Clijsters, the runner-up in 2004 and 2006, also announced her withdrawal because of an ankle problem.

"It's really a shame to give up on Roland Garros," said Clijsters.

"Paris is so close that I always feel a little at home. And that's where I played my first Grand Slam final.

"It's really a shame to give up on Roland Garros but the foot pain forces me to throw in the towel."

Agence France-Presse