TENNIS in DEPTH.

Rafael Nadal is concerned about his constant injury problems according to Spanish Davis Cup Captain Albert Costa.

“He is worried about his physical state, but he’s working every day to get better.” – Costa.

Shakira has opened up about her decision to cast Rafa in a new music video, insisting she picked the tennis ace to be her leading man because she “identifies” with him.

The Colombian singer sparked reports of a new romance with Nadal when they were photographed meeting together, shortly before filming a steamy promo for Shakira’s new single Gypsy.

She explains, “I thought that maybe I needed someone (in the video) I could in some way identify with. And Rafael Nadal is a person who has been totally committed to his career since he was very young, since he was 17, I believe.

Nadal suffered a small knee tear while two sets and 3-0 down against Britain’s Andy Murray in the quarter-final of the Australian Open, ruling him out of action until the first Masters 1000 event of the season in Indian Wells.

As well as missing the chance to defend the points he earned for making the Rotterdam final last year, the new world No.3 has also been forced to skip Spain’s Davis Cup tie with Switzerland next week.

Plagued by injuries since November 2008 when tendinitis in his knees forced him out of Spain’s Davis Cup final win over Argentina, the 23-year-old suffered yet more trouble with his knees after failing to lift the French Open for the first time in five years last May.

“Until last year at Roland Garros and the problems, he had achieved everything,” Costa said. “It’s normal, after 22 years and winning everything, to have some down time.”

Nadal hopes to return fighting fit in order to defend the title he picked up in California last year, beating three top ten players – del Potro, Roddick and Murray – on the way to victory.

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