Nadal withdraws from Wimbledon

LONDON, June 19 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal's decision to withdraw from the Wimbledon Championships could open the way for either Roger Federer or Andy Murray to make tennis history.

Nadal was the No. 1 seed for Wimbledon, which begins Monday, and the draw he was given Friday was going to be tough even for a healthy player. But Nadal said the tendinitis in his knees forced him out of the tournament. He is the first defending champion since Goran Ivanisevic missed the 2002 event to withdraw.

That leaves Federer, the world's No. 2-rated player, and Murray, who is third, as the highest seeds in the tournament.

Federer won the French Open earlier this month to complete his personal Grand Slam. A win July 5 at Wimbledon would give him his sixth title there in seven years and set the all-time record for major tournament victories.

Murray, from Scotland, is trying to become the first U.K. player since Fred Perry 73 years ago to win at the All-England Club.

Murray could have potentially faced Nadal in the semifinals but organizers have filled Nadal's spot with fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro. If the draw plays to form, Murray would meet eighth-seeded Gilles Simon in the quarters while del Porto could meet No. 6-rated Andy Roddick.

Federer's trip to the finals has a potential quarterfinal match against seventh-seeded Fernando Verdasco. The other half of the lower part of the bracket has the possible pairing of fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic and 17th-seeded James Blake, who was moved up to fill del Porto's slot in the draw.