• Wimbledon

Nadal to play through the pain against Murray

ESPN staff
June 30, 2011
Rafael Nadal picked up a heel injury against Juan Martin del Potro © Getty Images
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Rafael Nadal will use pain-killing injections to play through a foot injury as he bids to defend his Wimbledon title.

The world No. 1 faces Andy Murray on Friday for a place in Sunday's final, but following his quarter-final victory over Mardy Fish, Nadal has revealed he is still struggling with the heel injury that he picked up in his fourth-round match against Juan Martin del Potro.

With the US Open nearly two months away, Nadal can afford to take a break following a hectic few months in which he has played 35 matches.

"My foot is not fine," Nadal said. "But we are in the semi-finals of Wimbledon. It is an emergency, so I have to play.

"We decided to [numb] the area of the foot a little bit to play the rest of the tournament. That's what I am going to do.

"This is the last tournament for a month and a half for me, so I have to try my best. I could go home or go to the beach and have a good time but I have to continue. It is always a dream to play here."

While an injury to Nadal may appear to be an advantage to Murray, the British No. 1 is also struggling with a hip problem. Nadal beat Murray in straight sets last year, but the top seed expects more of a challenge from the Scot on Friday.

"Andy has been playing at a very high level," Nadal said. "He has a lot of confidence and will go into this match with a bit more experience."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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