Rafael Nadal Remains Sidelined by Knee Injury

Spain's Rafael Nadal makes a backhand return to Slovakia's Lukas Lacko during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill) (AP2012)

Tennis champion Rafael Nadal has confirmed that a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee will leave him out of competition for at least the next two months.

Nadal took to his Twitter account on Monday to confirm the news to his fans saying, "I have to recover and I'll be back once the pain is gone."

Among the competitions Nadal will miss is the upcoming Davis Cup semifinal in his native Spain.

Since losing in the second round of Wimbledon in late June, the 11-time Grand Slam champion has been out of action.

"I have missed the Olympics and the U.S. Open in the last few weeks, two of the most important tournaments of the year and that I really wanted to play," Nadal said. "I really want to be back competing and enjoying the tennis tour, but I have many years in front of me and my knee needs some rest."

Originally, doctors told the Spaniard he had tendinitis in his left knee and needed to rest 15 days.

Nadal's statement said since the tear was diagnosed he has been receiving treatment that includes medication, physical therapy and a rehabilitation program.

"I feel better after the meeting with my doctors and happy knowing that the evolution of the past weeks has been positive and surgery has been avoided," he said.

This isn't the first time Nadal's knees have forced him to take a break. In 2009, he took a hiatus, recovered and came back stronger than ever.

The season-ending ATP World Tour finals begin in London on Nov. 5.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.