Rafael Nadal withdraws from Mercedes Cup

New Delhi: Just 24 hours after he won his first Wimbledon title, Rafael Nadal flew in to Stuttgart to revisit the scene of one of his victories.

However, he had not gone there for playing a game, but to personally announce his inability to defend his Mercedes Cup title. Nadal said he needed time off from the game to shake off a recent and persistent knee injury.

The second-ranked Spaniard traveled to the Weissenhof tennis center to tell the promoters personally of his withdrawal as the clay-court event's defending champion and star attraction.

"This was the least I can do. I'm disappointed that I can't play," Nadal said. "My doctor said I need a few days off. I will have a checkup and treatment and won't return to the court until I am 100 per cent fit."

Nadal has played 47 matches since mid-March, winning six titles and reaching another final. He had fought knee problems since before last year's Wimbledon tournament.

"The calendar is hard on us players," he said. "I have played four to five months without a break. I have to recover."

Nadal withdrew after four seeded players pulled out Friday. The biggest loss was Rainer Schuettler of Germany, beaten by Nadal in the Wimbledon semifinals, who has a right elbow injury.

The tournament hopes the withdrawal problem will be solved next year by a new date which leaves a break between its start and the Wimbledon final.

Organisers were critical of the ATP for where the event was scheduled, but professed sympathy for Nadal's withdrawal.

"He is here today, because he is responsible and has character," tournament director, Edwin Weindorfer said. "Every player needs a rest, especially someone like Nadal, who is always in the final."

Twenty-two-year-old Nadal dethroned Roger Federer as Wimbledon champion on Sunday (6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7), needing four hours and 48 minutes to hold off the Swiss star's stirring comeback.

The win was Nadal's first Grand Slam title outside of the French Open, which he has won the last four years.

(With inputs from agencies)