WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Defending champion Rafael Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon on Friday because of tendinitis in his knees.

He is the first reigning Wimbledon men’s champion to not defend the title since Goran Ivanisevic in 2002—and only the second in the last 35 years. The grass-court Grand Slam tournament begins Monday.

“I’m just not 100 percent,” the No. 1-ranked Nadal said during a news conference at the All England Club. “I’m better than I was a couple of weeks ago, but I just don’t feel ready.”

His announcement came about 2 1/2 hours after he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka in an exhibition match on grass at the Hurlingham Club in south London.

“Today was the last test,” Nadal said. “I didn’t feel terrible but not close to my best.”



Story: http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=Aml.qjHvracR5a_URDqOXO45nYcB?slug=ap-wimbledon-nadal&prov=ap&type=lgns

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By: rjc1989 | On: Fri Jun 19, 09 1:43 PM

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PARIS(AP) —Roger Federer has won his first French Open championship to tie Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major titles and complete a career Grand Slam.

The second-seeded Federer beat No. 23 Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the final at Roland Garros on Sunday.

Federer had lost to Rafael Nadal in the previous three French Open finals, but the four-time defending champion from Spain was upset by Soderling in the fourth round this year.

Federer added the French Open title to his five apiece from Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and three from the Australian Open.

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By: rjc1989 | On: Sun Jun 07, 09 2:24 PM

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PARIS (AP)—All of Roger Federer’s bad memories from past French Open finals could be wiped away Sunday.

All of those so-close-yet-so-far bids to win the only Grand Slam title to elude him could fade with just one victory.

If he beats 23rd-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden in the final at Roland Garros, Federer will tie Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major championships and complete a career Grand Slam—at least one trophy from each of tennis’ four most prestigious tournaments.

Story : http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AjjprFD3P92LtFZqMJka31M5nYcB?slug=ap-frenchopen&prov=ap&type=lgns

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By: rjc1989 | On: Sun Jun 07, 09 1:49 AM

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