Toni Nadal: This is Rafa's 'worst moment of all'

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the London Olympics due to a knee injury, the defending gold medalist announced on Thursday.

Nadal, who had postponed his exhibition against Novak Djokovic in Spain due to knee tendinitis earlier this month, said in a statement that he’s "not in condition to compete in the London Olympics and therefore will not travel as planned with the Spanish delegation to take part in the games. I have to think about my companions. I can't be selfish and I have to think of what's best for Spanish sport, especially tennis and Spanish players and give fellow sportsmen with better preparation the chance to compete. I tried to hurry my preparations and training to the very last minute, but it was not to be. It’s one of the saddest days of my career as one of my biggest ambitions, that of being Spain's flag bearer in the opening ceremony of the games in London, cannot be. You can imagine how difficult it was to take this decision."

Nadal, who was upset by Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon, said two weeks ago that he was suffering from tendinitis in the patellar tendon in his left knee.

On Thursday, his uncle and coach, Toni, told IB3 TV that his nephew had suffered an emotional blow: "Rafael has gone through bad times and serious injury, but I think this is the worst moment of all," he said.