The world’s top tennis player Rafael Nadal announced that he will not be playing in Wimbledon 2009 due to tendinitis in his knees.

“I played underneath myself for the last few months,” Nadal told a press conference at the All England Club, just three days before the 2009 championships begin.

The top-seeded player said that he “could not play close to my best.” He insists that he will work hard and will be back as soon as possible. He assured the public that it is not a long-term or permanent injury. Nadal said, “I can recover for sure.”

His absence will adjust the rankings. According to the rules, Juan Martin del Potro (the number five seed) will move to Nadal’s spot at the top of the draw. The American James Blake will move from his present seeding (17) to del Potro’s position. And Nicolas Kiefer will take Blake’s position at no. 32.  Finally, unseeded Thiago Alves from Brazil will take Kiefer’s spot.

Nadal announced his decision after playing an exhibition game against Stanislas Wawrinka. The 23-year-old took the first set (6-4) but he lost the second (7-6). Then he lost the tie breaker.