The defending champion will not be able to play this year due to tendinitis in his knees.

Last year's final triumph against Roger Federer was an absolute epic as he was finally able to dethrone the Wimbledon king at the third time of asking and surely the vast majority of tennis fans will be disappointed that another duel between the pair is now no longer a possibility.

The signs were not good when Nadal, bidding for a fifth successive crown on the Roland Garros clay, was on the receiving end of perhaps the biggest upset in tennis history as he slipped to a dramatic defeat against Robin Soderling in the fourth round.

It was Nadal's first-ever defeat at the French Open following a record 31 consecutive wins and when he pulled out of the Wimbledon warm-up at Queen's Club a few days later it was clear all was not well.

Withdrew on the eve of the tournament having suffered two defeats at an exhibition event in London.