Acapulco, MX (Sports Network) - A Spanish newspaper reported Tuesday
that Rafael Nadal has already decided to skip next month's Masters 1000
events at Indian Wells and Miami because of ongoing knee problems, but
the tennis star's camp denies that report.
Nadal's press agent, Benito Perez-Barbadillo Jerez, tweeted Tuesday that the
Marca story was based on speculation.
The former world No. 1 star Nadal recently returned to action after being
sidelined for seven months due to tendinitis in his left knee. He's playing
in Acapulco this week, his third tournament in four weeks.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion and reigning French Open titlist
recently said his knee feels better, but he still has to be cautious.
"It's better and I've been able to compete but it's still bothering me," he
said on his arrival in Acapulco. "It's better on some days and worse on
others, which isn't ideal for someone like me, because my idea of competing is
based on giving it all at all times."
Nadal also recently said he will only play on clay courts between now and the
French Open in May.
The Mallorca native captured a title in Sao Paolo two weeks ago and was a
runner-up upon his much-anticipated return in Vina del Mar the week before
that.
Nadal, who shares a record with Roger Federer with 20 Masters titles, is a
two-time Indian Wells champion, but has never titled in Miami.
The Sports Network