MADRID: Rafael Nadal has extended his long injury layoff by another two months and will miss his country’s Davis Cup semifinal against the USA.
“Nadal will not play in the next two months and will stop to rest and recover his knee,” said an official statement.
“Among other things he won’t be able to be at the disposal of the Spanish Davis Cup captain for the semi-finals tie against the USA,” it said.
The French Open champion has been on the injury sidelines since his shock Wimbledon second round exit at the hands of unheralded Lukas Rosol in late June.
That meant he missed the London Olympics, the Masters series events at Toronto and Cincinnati as well as the US Open which is currently underway in New York and where he reached the final last year.
Nadal has a torn tendon and inflammation in the left knee. The tear is being treated with medication, therapy and progressive rehabilitation, the player said.
The former world number one has needed repeated injury layoffs over the last few years to rest his knees.
A two-month layoff will mean that Nadal will miss the rest of the ATP regular tour season, but could conceivably play in the ATP Tour Finals which will be held in November as well as the Davis Cup final should Spain get through. (AFP)
