In a stunning decision, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Wimbledon citing his knee injuries and not being 100%. He won't be defending his title and there will be no rematch of last years epic finals versus Federer. With an initial thought, you would think Federer is the one who would be jumping for joy, but there is someone else who just got a major break by Nadal's announcement. But no one is talking about him STILL. Every article I've read says Andy Murray caught the biggest break with Rafa's withdrawal. But he potentially could meet Gulbis (2nd round) and Blake (quarters). The only break Murray could get is finding out he's actually not British. Until then he's sunk at Wimbledon. The guy who undoubtedly benefits the most, and in my eyes becomes the favorite in the top half of the draw, is Mr. Andy Roddick. He is playing some of his best tennis ever right now, and his serve is on fire. With Roddick's serve hitting a groove, how does that not make him a favorite to get to the finals? The Hasty thinks it does.Who wouldn't love to see a Murray vs Roddick semi-final? And then a Roddick vs Federer finals? Maybe I'm in a pipe dream but I think there is a real shot for this. Murray is going to have his ups and downs over the two weeks, and with the whole country of England watching, one of those "downs" is going to finish him, as usual. That said, if Nadal was in the tournament, a Nadal vs Roddick quarter-final would have been extremely tough for Roddick. If he did advance, how much gas would he have left in the tank for the semis and the finals? But that is moot, now there is no Nadal, no quarterfinal hurdle, no mental wall in Roddick's mind knowing Rafa is in his section. I think Roddick is a lock for the semis. I only see one potential speed bump along the way, and that's in the fourth round. He potentially could play Davydenko. That match is scary.
Here is Nadal's press conference where he announced he was withdrawing:
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