Wimbledon 2009: Doubts grow for Nadal after losing to Hewitt

World No 1 and Wimbledon top seed Rafael Nadal suffered defeat and discomfort at the hands of Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday. Rafael Nadal's hopes of being able to defend his Wimbledon title suffered a significant blow on Thursday, when he struggled with knee problems during a surprise 6-4, 6-3 defeat by Australia's Lleyton Hewitt at the Hurlingham Club.



The Spaniard was still visibly discomforted by the injuries that had forced his withdrawal from the Aegon Classic at Queen's Club last week and struggled to cope with Hewitt's fierce sliced returns.

His uncle and coach, Toni Nadal, said: "The problem is that he cannot bend his knees. He was not happy out there. You saw what he was doing."

Toni explained that Nadal's team had brought over an "electro-magnetic machine" from Spain to help treatment. "But at the moment, that is not enough. We will see what happens."

"I don't know [if he will play at Wimbledon], we have to wait for Friday."

Nadal wore no strapping on his knees but he was suffering strain in both, failing to get down for low half-volleys that he would have found routine last year. He conveyed his frustration at several points to Toni Nadal, who was sitting courtside.

Nadal said nothing afterwards before speeding off for treatment but Toni made it clear that today's second exhibition match against Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka would be crucial in determining Nadal's readiness for Wimbledon.