Two-time champion Rafael Nadal has conceded that he should not have turned out during last year's Wimbledon.
Despite suffering with a knee injury, the Spaniard featured at SW19, but was eventually knocked out in the second round by Lukas Rosol, who was ranked 100 places below him in the world.
However, ahead of this year's tournament which starts on Monday, a now fit Nadal has admitted that he should have opted out 12 months ago.
"I was not ready to play here. That's the real thing. I play with an infiltrationfrom the first day," he told reporters. "Last year I played here because it's a tournament that I love. I tried my best. But after Roland Garros my knee was not there any more. After here I was not able to compete in one more tournament during the rest of the season.
"That's tennis and that's the sport. You lose, you win. That's part of the game. But that experience for me last year was too much. I suffered too much.
"If you are in the final rounds and if you have to protect or play with an infiltration, it's fine. But playing with an infiltration from the first day doesn't exist. Wimbledon was not a good decision for me."
The 27-year-old will get his campaign underway this time around against Belgium's Steve Darcis on Monday.
Liam Apicella
