Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal was left out of Spain's Davis Cup squad on Tuesday for their World Group quarter-final against Germany.

The world number one has been struggling with tendinitis in his knees since being knocked out of the French Open last month and was forced to miss Wimbledon.

Spain captain Albert Costa called up Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez for the match on clay in the Puerto Banus bullring in Marbella on July 10-12.

Last year’s Wimbledon rematch of the French Open Final took place on the final day of The Championships. It was a match that upset the tennis world order and things haven’t been the same since. Rafael Nadal’s victory ended Roger Federer’s five-year domination at the All England Club, and it set in train a series of events that led to Nadal usurping Federer as the world No.1 and much more.

Andy Murray believes he is ready to make Wimbledon history by becoming the first British man to win the grass-court Grand Slam for 73 years.

Roger Federer begins his campaign for a sixth Wimbledon title today, rejuvenated by finally lifting his French Open jinx and seeing injured rival Rafael Nadal limp out of contention.

Roger Federer has admitted he is wary of the threat posed by British number one Andy Murray as he prepares to kick off his Wimbledon challenge on Monday.

With defending champion Rafael Nadal forced to pull out of the championships through injury, Federer and Murray are now seeded to meet in the 5 July final.

And five-time Wimbledon champion Federer told BBC Sport: "He definitely has a good chance at Wimbledon.

"He handles pressure well and will be a great grass champion for the future."

Five-time champion Roger Federer was relaxed and confident ahead of what could be an historic tournament for him, although any talk of taking Pete Sampras' Grand Slam record was relegated to a mere afterthought – the Swiss 2nd seed wants his Wimbledon title back, with any records that come with it mere icing on the cake.

Tim Henman believes Andy Murray has won over the Wimbledon crowd and has the mental strength to challenge for his first Grand Slam title.

If Andy Murray wins Wimbledon in two weeks he will point to last year's quarter-final defeat by Rafael Nadal as the moment that set him on a path to glory.

Murray arrived at the All England Club seeded 12 last year and after reaching the last eight with a barnstorming comeback against Frenchman Richard Gasquet he was completely outplayed by eventual champion Nadal on Centre Court.

 Roger Federer is sad Rafael Nadal's knee injury has put a temporary halt to one of the sport's greatest rivalries, the world number two said on Saturday.

Spaniard Nadal, who beat Federer in an epic five-set Wimbledon final last year, withdrew on Friday with tendinitis in both knees, leaving the Swiss to once again open play on Centre Court on Monday, albeit a little sheepishly.

When Roger Federer shows up at Wimbledon without Rafael Nadal looking down at him from the top of the draw, it will feel like Bjorn Borg has arrived without John McEnroe or Pete Sampras minus Andre Agassi.

In an era when Federer-Nadal showdowns are starting to reach epic proportions, the Swiss will have to go it alone for the first time next week since the 2006 Australian Open when the Spaniard missed out due to a foot injury.