THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
STUTTGART, Germany -- One day after winning the Wimbledon title for the first time, Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Mercedes Cup on Monday with unspecified knee problems.
The second-ranked Spaniard travelled to the Weissenhof tennis centre to tell the promoters personally of his withdrawal as the clay-court event's defending champion and star attraction.
"This was the least I can do. I'm disappointed that I can't play," Nadal said. "I have played four, five months without a break. I have to recover."
Nadal, who will undergo a physical, was advised by doctors to take a few days off.
Nadal dethroned Roger Federer as Wimbledon champion Sunday, needing four hours 48 minutes to hold off the Swiss star's stirring comeback, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7.
The win was Nadal's first Grand Slam title outside of the French Open, which he has won the last four years.
Nadal, who won in 2005 and 2007, withdrew after four seeded players pulled out on Friday. The worse loss was Rainer Schuettler of Germany, beaten by Nadal in the Wimbledon semifinals, who has a right elbow injury.
The tournament hopes the withdrawal problem will be solved next year by a new date which leaves a break between its start and the Wimbledon final.
Organizers were critical of the ATP for where the event was scheduled, but professed sympathy for Nadal's withdrawal.
"He is here today, because he is responsible and has character," tournament director Edwin Weindorfer said. "Every player needs a rest, especially someone like Nadal, who is always in the final."
The field is now headed by No. 11-ranked Nicolas Almagro of Spain and No. 15 Richard Gasquet of France.
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