TENNIS in DEPTH.

Rafael Nadal is set to be out of action for up to four weeks in an attempt to recover from a knee injury sustained during his quarter-final defeat to Andy Murray at the Australian Open.

Nadal described the injury as a “little tweak” after being forced to retire while trailing 6-3, 7-6, 3-0 to the world No.4 in Melbourne, but the six-time Grand Slam champ has since been diagnosed with a small tear at the back of his right knee.

Though the injury is unconnected to the knee tendonitis that so-affected his 2009 season, the Spaniard will miss Rotterdam’s ATP 500 tournament starting February 8.

Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro – who examined the 23-year-old– said that the injury could be treated with physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory treatment.

“It is not important for me – the ranking issue and losing a few spots – that’s normal when you are not able to compete.” – Nadal

“After two weeks and depending on the results of the different tests and controls, he will steadily resume his sporting activity with a total recovery time to resume competition in fours weeks,” Ruiz-Cotorro said.

Nadal’s world No.2 ranking is now set to come under threat from Novak Djokovic and Murray – who beat him in the Rotterdam final last year.

But despite being unable to defend the ranking points he earned as a result of his run to the final in Holland, Nadal is more concerned with regaining full-fitness than worrying about slipping down the rankings.

“It is not important for me the ranking issue and losing a few spots, that’s normal when you are not able to compete,” said the Spaniard.

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