Nadal has tendonitis in knee, says Spanish federation

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-05 09:53

MADRID - World number one Rafael Nadal has tendonitis in his right knee and needs a week of rest and treatment, the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) said on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the court after retiring from his quarter-final match against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the Paris Masters Series tennis tournament, October 31, 2008.[Agencies]

Nadal pulled out of the season-ending Masters Cup on Monday because of the injury, which last week forced him to retire from his Paris Masters quarter-final against Nikolay Davydenko.

He is also a doubt for Spain's Davis Cup final in Argentina starting on November 21.

RFET doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro said in a statement that Nadal would have a week's treatment involving anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy and ice packs.

"Once this period of rest is over, and depending on the development of the pain, Nadal will gradually begin training on the court again," he said, adding that further tests were planned for Monday.

Nadal blamed the injury on the busy tennis calendar, saying it had taken its toll on his body.

"Competing at so many events might have harmed, specially at the end of the season, my physical condition, taking away the freshness needed to play at the top level of the game on these last events," he said on his web site (www.rafaelnadal.com).

Nadal will be replaced at the Master Cup in Shanghai, which starts on Sunday, by Frenchman Gilles Simon.