Nadal could return in a month

Rafael Nadal: Could be back playing tennis within a month

Rafael Nadal could be back playing tennis within a month, according to Spanish federation doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro.

Nadal has not played since his shock second-round exit at Wimbledon in June and has been suffering from a partial tear of the patella tendon and an inflammation of the Hoffa's fat pad in his left knee.

The world number three, who was unable to defend his Olympic title and was forced to withdraw from the US Open, said on Monday that he would be out for another two months.

"We have completely ruled out surgery," said Ruiz-Cotorro.

"We believe that within two months the tendon will be in what we consider a normal state."
Angel Ruiz-Cotorro Quotes of the week

"During the next month we'll be doing training with a lot of physiotherapy combined with hydrotherapy and laser and we'll see how he progresses.

Belief

"We believe that within two months the tendon will be in what we consider a normal state.

"In a month's time, if the tests and his progress are positive, he can get back to work on the court.

"But that's not the main goal; that is for the tendon to recover with the same strength it had."

Ruiz-Cotorro added that Nadal's injury would not plague him for the rest of his career, and was aware of similar cases where the tendon had completely healed.

"It won't necessarily drag on, this injury," he said. "He wants to play when he can do so in perfect condition and not just for one tournament but to have continuity."