Tennis: World number one Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Spain team to face Argentina in the Davis Cup final later this month. The 22-year-old withdrew from the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai earlier this month citing fatigue, and a knee injury has now forced him to do likewise for the showpiece event.
"I don't feel ready to focus on a final like this and for that reason I'm not going to be there, much to my regret," he told a press conference.
Nadal said it was a tough call but felt he had to take his doctor's advice.
"The decision wasn't easy but I have to accept the medical recommendation," he continued. "I'm used to playing with pain but this is different, something new.
"I haven't been able to control it. I tried some light training but the knee didn't respond well. I don't feel too good. These are difficult decisions to make for an individual player.
"It's even more difficult when you're playing doubles and more difficult still when you talk about the Davis Cup team."
The Wimbledon and French Open champion has had a hectic year but does not believe he could have done anything to prevent his current condition.
"I don't know if the injury has come about from over-exertion," he said. "It has been a very intense year, an Olympic year... but I don't think I overdid it."
Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario is due to name his squad to face Argentina tomorrow.