Nadal may pull out of Indian Wells

Rafael Nadal may pull out of next week's Indian Wells Masters in California to spare his fragile knees from the hard courts.

Nadal said he loves the tournament he won in 2007 and 2009 but he has to think about protecting his knees and stay healthy for the European clay-court season which climaxes with the French Open, which he has won seven times.

He didn't say whether he would also compete in the hard-court Key Biscayne Masters, where he's reached the final three times, and which follows Indian Wells.

''My intention is to go to Indian Wells,'' Nadal said after reaching the second round of the Mexican Open late Tuesday. ''This is the truth because I love this tournament and the priority is to play. But if I don't feel comfortable playing and decide to wait to play on the hard courts, that's how it will be and I'll rest for the clay-court season (in Europe). But today I can't answer.''

Nadal has been critical of playing on hard courts and has sugg

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/nadal_may_pull_out_of_indian_wells/13012111

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