Andy Roddick believes Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal will be able to make a strong defence of his title despite the knee problems that forced the Spaniard to miss Queen's.

Nadal opted to pull out of the pre-Wimbledon warm-up event in west London after the pain he has suffered in both knees for several years grew unbearable during the French Open.

After medical tests yesterday, Nadal has revealed that he will fly to England next week to begin his preparations for the All-England Club tournament he won for the first time last year.

Roddick, a former Wimbledon finalist, doesn't think it will hinder the Spaniard too much. "I've had tendonitis for years and years. On a positive side for Rafa, it's uncomfortable and it's painful, but it's not something that's going to be a career threatening injury. I never thought that his Wimbledon defence was in jeopardy. Rafa has had knee tendonitis for a long time and he's won Grand Slams while he's had it," Roddick said after a second round 6-1, 6-4 win over Kristof Vliegen yesterday at the Queen's.