World number one Rafael Nadal will not defend his Wimbledon men’s singles crown because of a knee injury.

Nadal, struggling with tendinitis, tested out his fitness in exhibition matches on Thursday and Friday, but was unhappy with the state of his knee.

“Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career,” said the 23-year-old Mallorcan.

Nadal is the first champion not to defend his SW19 crown since Goran Ivanisevic skipped the event in 2002.

Why can’t this happen in Football? This is the story I would prefer:

‘Champions Man Utd out of Premier League’

Premiership Champions Manchester United will not defend the Premier League this season because of injuries.

Edwin Van Der Sar has broken his hand, Gary Neville has sprained his ankle, Patrice Evra has lost his voice, Rio Ferdinand has swelling to the brain, and Owen Hargreaves has bunions, thus rendering the defence obsolete. As for the midfield they have all been struck down by Swine Flu. Wayne Rooney has been diagnosed as an ogre and Dimitar Berbatov was mistaken for a donkey and taken to RedWings Sanctuary. Man Utd tested out their fitness in friendlies against Aston Villa on Thursday and Friday, but lost both of them, conceding 52 goals over the 2 matches.

“Not to play in the premiership is one of the toughest decisions in my career,” said the 85-year-old Alex Ferguson.

Man Utd are the first champions not to defend the premiership crown .

Now thats a much better story!!!