quote:
Nadal forced out of Queen's event
Defending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Aegon Championship at Queen's next week with a knee injury.
The world number one, and reigning Wimbledon champion, has been advised to rest by doctors.
"I've been having problems in the past months with my knees, that's no secret," said the Spaniard. "I need to recover and get ready for Wimbledon."
Meanwhile, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis has been given a wildcard as replacement for the injured Kei Nishikori.
Baghdatis, who reached the final of the Australian Open in 2006, also has pedigree on grass, reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon six months later, beating British number one Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt on the way.
Despite his withdrawal, Nadal is optimistic he will be fit to defend the Wimbledon title he won in such dramatic fashion against Roger Federer last year.
"I am very disappointed to not be able to come this year to Queen's, defend the title I won last year and enjoy playing there in front of the very knowledgeable British crowds," he said.
"I need to work with my team to recover my physical condition to be at my top form and get ready for the grass to play at Wimbledon.
"I hope I can be ready to compete by then. I am really sorry and I hope that the people at the tournament will still want me to come next year."
Murray and four-time champions Andy Roddick and Hewitt are set to play at the Queen's Club event which starts on Monday.
Ondertussen is Halle het beter bezette toernooi met Federer, Djokovic, Verdasco en Tsonga. Stuk voor stuk beter grasspelers dan de beste van Queens nu.
edit: vergat Roddick even, die is wellicht van hetzelfde niveau als Verdasco en Tsonga op gras.