November 10, 2008, Barcelona, Spain – Rafael Nadal was diagnosed with a knee injury that just cost him his game in the Davis Cup finals. According to the Spain team doctor, Nadal’s knee injury would need around three to six weeks before full recovery can take place.
Having to miss out on the Davis Cup finals was hard for the world number one ranked tennis player. Yes, the news was hard for every tennis fans to hear, it was a more upsetting decision to make for Rafael and the Spanish team. With Nadal’s absence, Spain’s goal of winning a third Davis Cup title seems harder to achieve.
The Argentine team is saddened for Nadal’s injury but take joy in the Spaniard’s absence. With Nadal on the Spanish team, it would have been a difficult final match to play. However, with Nadal’s absence the odds become better for the Argentine team.
Sanchez Vicario already has probable players in line to take Nadal’s place for the Davis Cup finals. These players include Nicolas Almagro – the clay-court specialist or Marcel Granollers. The other members making up the Spanish team include David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.
Even with his absence, Nadal still believes that the Spanish team still has a great chance at winning the Davis Cup title. His knee injury has not discouraged him to travel to Argentina to support his team mates.