Andy Murray's Wimbledon chances have been given a boost after the withdrawal of favourite and world number one Rafael Nadal.

The defending SW19 champion had been diagnosed with tendinitis in both quadricep tendons and has a small amount of fluid on the kneecaps but was hopeful of defending his crown.

The 23-year-old looked to be on the mend after practising with Murray at the All England Club on Wednesday, but the following day the Spaniard seemed out of sorts during his exhibition encounter with Lleyton Hewitt which he lost in two sets.

Nadal was determined to win his fight to be ready for Wimbledon and played a second exhibition match at Hurlingham against Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday but two hours after the match, Nadal was forced to admit defeat.

He said: "Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career.

"I've played with some problems in my knees for a few months but I always felt I'd try and try. You don't know what your limit is, but I have now reached the limit."