Nadal's Wimbledon defence hanging in the balance

RAFAEL Nadal's defence of his Wimbledon title could be over before it's begun.

QUESTION MARK: It's 12 months since Rafael Nadal's famous win at Wimbledon but will injury concerns derail his title defence

The world number one - his troublesome knee injury strapped up - looked troubled during a straight sets defeat to Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match at London's Hurlingham Club.

Nadal repeatedly voiced his frustration during his first match since losing to Robin Soderling at the French Open.

He repeatedly pulled out of shots he would normally routinely dispatch and any Spanish speakers courtside would have been left under no doubts about his unhappiness.

Nadal will now play Switzerland's Stanslas Wawrinka on Friday and is expected to make a decision about his fitness after that after being diagnosed with tendinitis last week.

"He is having difficulties bending and it seems his treatments aren't enough," said uncle and coach Toni Nadal.

Asked if he would defend his title, he added: "I don't know, we will just have to wait for Friday."

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