Nadal pulls out with knee injury before epic Federer clash

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the ongoing Indian Wells tournament on Saturday with a knee injury, shortly before his eagerly-awaited semi-final clash against old foe Roger Federer.

"I warmed up today, and I felt that my knee was not good to compete at the level I needed to compete in semi-final," Spain's Nadal said in a statement. "It's tough for me to accept all these things that I'm going through in my career."

The Spanish superstar, who has battled knee tendinitis and other injuries throughout his career, confirmed he won't compete at next week's Miami Masters, targeting a return for the claycourt season at Monte Carlo April 14-21.

The world No.2 added, "what I'm going to do is come back home and try to do a smooth transition to clay, try to be 100 percent for the first event, that's going to be Monte Carlo for me."

"What I'm going to do is come back home and try to do a smooth transition to clay, try to be 100 percent for the first event, that's going to be Monte Carlo for me," said Nadal.

Rafael Nadal hits a forehand during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, USA, March 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Federer, bidding for his 101st career title and a record sixth Indian Wells crown, received a walkover into the final, where he will play Dominic Thiem, a 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 6-4 victory over Milos Raonic in Saturday's only semi-final.

It was just the fifth time in Nadal's career that he had conceded a walkover and the first to Federer.

"I am obviously excited to be in the finals, but not this way," said the 37-year-old Federer. "We've had so many epic battles, and I know now that everyone we have could be our last. Was this our last chance? I hope not."

Federer's scheduled meeting with Nadal would have been the 39th in their long rivalry and the first since 2017, leaving the Swiss to say "it's a big letdown," a sentiment felt by everyone at Indian Wells.

(With input from AFP and Reuters)