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1/17/12 3:08 PM | Johan Lindahl
Rafael Nadal is puzzling over a freak hotel-room knee injury which nearly cost him his start at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard needed nearly two days of therapy and treatment before going onto court to win his opening match against Alex Kuznetsov.
Nadal called his right knee problem more than strange. "I was sitting on a chair in the hotel and I felt like a crack on the knee, but is nothing really strange. I stood up and felt a little strange in the knee. I moved the leg two times and it gave an unbelievable pain (while completely straight). I had no movement on the knee."
The 2009 champion said he was somewhat afraid to venture onto court. "I wasn't hundred percent sure I would be able to play, I thought without movement in the knee I could not. But I did a lot of treatment and the MRI was positive."
Nadal said he spent the hours before the match in further treatment and started timidly in the match. "I was nervous because I was really disappointed yesterday. But after the first 10 games, I started to play normally."
Nadal cold make no predictions about any future matches, but added: "The best thing is that I felt the knee very well. I'm really happy that today I was ready to play and I played a fantastic match.
"I'm really confident that having the worst feeling that I ever had in my knee yesterday and today was able to play. I have fantastic hope that it's gonna be the same for the next match."
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From the match he played monday doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him.
So I think the "freak knee incident" that puzzled nadal worked itself out.
Strange incident indeed.
bleck , 1/17/12 5:57 PM
Nadal's serve looked good. He has slowed his motion down a little bit. Last year he appeared to be quick serving at times. His ball toss is a little higher which gives him time to wield that slightly heavier racquet. Federer and Nadal had the same average 1st serve speed in their 1st matches(181/180). If you have watched a lot of Nadal's matches you will see the difference.
conquistador , 1/17/12 8:29 PM
ugly gamesmanship again
arrogantcheatNadal , 1/17/12 8:33 PM
^LOL ok tennisba^
ts38 , 1/17/12 8:44 PM
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I hope it was just a one off, Rafa has such potential for the AO. I'm sure his physio and doctors will do their best to work out a solution.
Vamos Rafa
nadline , 1/17/12 5:52 PM