Look after yourself, Rafa ...

Quiero pedir disculpas a todos, debido a una lesión en el tendón no podré jugar contra Novak en Alma Nadal. Aquí... fb.me/1VSPhSw0h
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 4, 2012

Well, my day started with the worst possible news.

For the past couple of days, the social media has been awash with Rafa knee stories. You try not to place too much importance on it, you try not to succumb to scare-mongering, you try to take a backwards step knowing that this is something that will always be an issue and will have to be managed by Rafa, and you hope that his un-expected departure from Wimbledon might - in the long run - turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

But today it was announced via Rafa's Facebook, that he is to pull out of the Alma Nadal exhibition match with Novak Djokovic. This is what he had to say ...

"I want to apologize to all, I suffer a tendinitis and I can't to play against Novak for Alma Nadal. I share with you my apologies, in particular to the fans that had already purchased a ticket to such a good cause."

David Nadal from IB3 tweeted that Rafa is to have 15 days of complete rest with no training - which is a long time for him.

Whatever it takes, Rafa ... whatever it takes.

I'm not even going to discuss last week's match, but I can hear the keyboard jockeys bashing away as I type. There were no excuses from Rafa last week, he gave his presser, he congratulated his opponent ... and he went home. He's fast becoming aware that it doesn't matter what he says about anything, its always dubbed as an excuse, and so he took the best possible course of action ... to say nothing.

And the sad thing is, if this exhibition hadn't have been scheduled, I'm sure it could have been simply left at that. Journalists can comment all they like, but there was silence from Camp Nadal. He'd have his recuperation, have his treatment and then re-join the Tour at the Olympics. But unfortunately because of this exho falling right in the middle of his recovery, something public had to be said. I suppose people have to know at the earliest opportunity, considering that tickets were still on sale and travel plans have to be made, so I'm sure that there was no choice in this latest injury being made public now.

It won't stop those out there who are detractors from re-hashing their usual garbage, but for us here - Rafa's fans, on this Rafa fan site - well, we are collectively very sad to hear the news and hope that Rafa can recuperate as quickly as he can.

I know a number of people who were going to the event - our Camp Vamo3 matron, Rafan, being one of them. So I'm very sad for her and all of you out there who had tickets.

But all our obvious concern right now is for Rafa, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Let's hope he makes it in time to at least have a bash at the Olympics, and for him to take it from there for the rest of the season.

Take care, Rafa. And Vamos!!