By Daily Sports on May 28, 2016

Nine-time winner Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the French Open because of a wrist injury.

The Spaniard had progressed to the third round with a straight-sets win over Facundo Bagnis on Thursday – his 200th Grand Slam victory.

“Yesterday I played with an injection,” the 29-year-old told a news conference on Friday.

“Yesterday evening I started to feel more and more pain and today I felt I could not move my wrist.”

Nadal said he risked further injury – and a likely break in his wrist – if he continued to play.

He was speaking at a hastily-arranged news conference in Paris, just 24 hours before he was due to face compatriot Marcel Granollers.

“Nine times in my career I have been able to be healthy here in Paris and win this tournament,” Nadal said.

“This is a tough moment and the toughest press conference I have ever had to give but it’s not the end.”

He later posted on his Facebook page: “Today is one of the toughest days. Having to withdraw from arguably the most important tournament of my career, a tournament that I love so much. I will be back in Roland Garros in the next [few] years and hope to keep having chances in the future. Many thanks to all my fans for the support.”

Will he play at Wimbledon?

Nadal says he only risked starting the tournament at Roland Garros because of his desperation to become the first man to win 10 singles titles at a grand slam.

However, his wrist problem is the latest in a long list of injuries – including his knees, back and shoulder – which have seen him miss a number of majors in his career.

However, he is optimistic he will be fit for the start of Wimbledon on 27 June.

“We’re going to work hard to be ready for Wimbledon,” Nadal said. “I need a couple of weeks (with the wrist) immobilised. Then we’re going to do the treatment and we hope that works well.

“We expect to recover quick and to be ready for Wimbledon.” (BBC)

•Photo shows Rafael Nadal.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 28, 2016

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