Defending champion Rafael Nadal to address Wimbledon status in news conference Friday

Nadal to address Wimbledon status Friday

WIMBLEDON, England — Defending champion Rafael Nadal will address his status for Wimbledon at a news conference at the All England Club.

Nadal had been expected to discuss his plans Friday after an exhibition match at the Hurlingham Club. Instead, after Nadal’s loss to Stanislas Wawrinka, it was announced the Spaniard would speak later.

Nadal has complained of tendinitis in his knees since his fourth-round loss at the French Open. He withdrew from last week’s Queen’s Club grass-court tournament.

To test his knees, Nadal played two matches at the Hurlingham Club in London. He appeared to struggle while being beaten by Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets Thursday, but looked better against Wawrinka.