A statement on Rafael Nadal’s website has declared that if he is ready, he will face Stanislas Wawrinka in an exhibition match on June 19 in order to gain some court fitness before Wimbledon.
Nadal, last year’s Wimbledon Champion, has been suffering from Tendonitis in his knees since his fourth round exit from the French Open at the hands of Robin Soderling. The Spaniard was forced to withdraw from the AEGON Classic at Queen’s Club in an attempt to be ready and fit in time to defend his crown at SW19.
The lack of grass court practice has also been a major concern for Nadal however, who would not choose to go into Wimbledon cold. The statement from Nadal’s official website read:
‘Rafa is considering playing at the Hurlingham club in London, on June 19’. The match will be an exhibition contest against solid Swiss matchplayer Stanislas Wawrinka, and Nadal has himself expressed his hopes of being able to play.
“It would be a good test for me to play there on Friday to see how the knee is doing and it would provide the perfect setting to get some practice before Wimbledon,” the 23-year-old said. “If I feel the recuperation is going well I will be more than happy to be there again. I hope that’s the case.”
Rafael Nadal has been drifting in the market for the Men’s Singles at Wimbledon ever since news of his injury has arisen, and subsequently cast doubt over his participation at SW19. Nadal is a best priced 4/1 third favourite with Victor Chandler to regain his Wimbledon crown.