Roger Federer expressed surprise on Monday that long-time rival Rafael Nadal has not played tennis in nearly two months, with the Swiss world number one concerned about the state of the Spaniard as the Cincinnati Masters begins.
“I was going to write him and check on him, because I can’t believe he’s been out that long,” Federer said of the former number one, who last played in a huge Wimbledon second round loss to Czech Lukas Rosol on June 28.
Since then, the third-ranked king of clay has gone to ground as he tries to heal chronic tendinitis in his knees, which threaten to rule out his entire summer hard-court campaign, including the US Open.
Nadal withdrew from the London Olympics with regret and then pulled out of both of this month’s Masters 1000 tune-ups for the US Open starting on August 27 by missing the Toronto and Cincinnati events.
“I thought the Olympics, okay, that’s fine. That’s a personal choice,” said Federer.
“I thought for sure we would see him in Toronto, but now he missed Toronto and Cincinnati. It’s very surprising, because it was nothing that we heard of prior to the injury. He played so well on clay, and then actually seemed fine at Wimbledon. He had more (recovery) time by losing earlier at Wimbledon.”
Federer called it a “big surprise, these two pullouts. I’m sad for him. I hope he’ll be back for the Open.”
Keywords: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal
In olympics federer played very well.
ahhhhhhhh luk at the greatness oh this man
inspite being a known rival
he is still talking abt the frndship
luv u federer
u r a true king....hope rafa wil b back
Nadal is under fire training he may surprise you by winning next
Wimbledon !
I want Rafael Nadal to be back in professional tennis before the US
Open.
His absence will definitely affect the Open.The fight between the
'TOP 4' for winning the Grand Slam in no doubt is a treat to watch.
If Nadal misses the Slam,it would mean less fun for the viewers.
Come back ASAP Nadal !
Roger Federer in his true inimitable style has expressed concern about the recent absence of Nadal from the competitive tennis circuit! It is indeed sad to see that Nadal's chronic tendinitis has laid him low and may perhaps prevent him from competing in the US Open. It does appear that Nadal's intensity and style of play where he places an inordinate and tremendouus amount of stress and strain on himself and his knees may prove to be his nemsis, cutting short his illustrious tennis career unless he is able to make the necessary mental and physical adjustments to his game!
Gentle words from the World number 1 Federer which makes him more good as a human being... Am proud to be his FAN...
It is hard to not like either of these two guys. Considering his playing
style, it is incredible that Nadal has managed to play for so long and
so successfully. Lets hope he has a few more years of top quality game
left in him.
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