THE LOW DOWN: Rafael Nadal releases statement on fitness questions, "...I want to make it clear for everyone that I’m fine," says Rafa

Rafael Nadal is determined to refute the remarks his coach and uncle Toni Nadal made about Rafa's lingering foot injury to El Diario de Mallorca. Yesterday, Uncle Toni was quoted as saying, "It's very serious. I don't know [if it's career-threatening]. I'll let the doctor reply to that. He has to take a lot of precautions when he plays." Rafa already spoke out on Spanish state TV last night but he's continued to speak publicly today about Toni's comments.

In a clear move to calm the speculation and remove doubts about his fitness (most importantly in the mind's of his opponents), the World No. 2 made the following statement via his website:

Hello everyone!

I’m usually not the kind that likes to clarify what is written about me on the press, but given the all the fuzz around the interview my uncle Toni did for ‘El Diario de Mallorca, I want to make it clear for everyone that I’m fine."

The injury I had in 2005 - and that I have already recovered from - is under total medical control. I don’t agree with what is being published, nor with the things that are being said in relation to the injury. I don’t know if the statements were taken out of context or if Toni didn’t express himself well (I wasn’t’ at the interview and therefore can’t give my opinion).

The truth of the matter is that it’s not like what the press is saying. In fact, I’ve been playing and training normally since 2006 by being cautious like it was advised. The only injury I had this season was, like you all know, in my knees. But as I said before, there is no need to be alarmed and my career isn’t in danger."

Finally, I just wanted to point out that this has been my best season yet. I was able to get the most points I’ve ever had since I started my career, was also able to achieve great results and on top of that I was able to shorten the point difference between me and an unreachable Roger Federer.

Thank you all for the support you always give me.

Rafa Nadal

It seems Rafa's publicist, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, needs to step up here because there's obviously some miscommunication happening in the Nadal camp. Was Uncle Toni speaking out of turn, or is Rafa hiding his wounds so he won't appear vulnerable to his opponents?

(image via rafaelnadal.com)