Unprepared Nadal withdraws from Brisbane tournament
World number one tennis player Rafa Nadal says he is not ready to play due to the late start of preparation for the season.
This November 3, 2017 file photo shows Rafael Nadal of Spain attending a press conference to announce he pulled out of the Paris Masters with a right knee injury, at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France.
World number one Rafa Nadal's preparations for next month's Australian Open have suffered a blow after he was a late withdrawal from the Brisbane International tournament on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Spaniard has not played since he withdrew from the season-ending World Tour Finals in London in November with a knee injury.
He had already withdrawn from an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi that starts later on Thursday.
"I am sorry to announce I won't be coming to Brisbane this year," Nadal said on his Twitter account.
"My intention was to play but I am still not ready after last year's long season and the late start of my preparation."
I am sorry to announce I won’t be coming to Brisbane this year. My intention was to play but I am still not ready after last year’s long season and the late start of my preparation.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 27, 2017
I had a great time there and it was a great start to the month I spent in Australia
The Brisbane tournament was due to start on Sunday.
Nadal, who also cancelled a training block last week, returned from injury last year to reach the final of the Australian Open and win the titles at the French and US Opens.
He played in Brisbane last year as part of his preparations for Melbourne Park and made the quarter-finals before losing to Canada's Milos Raonic.
"I had a great time there in 2017 and it was a great start to the month I spent in Australia," Nadal added.
"I will be seeing my Aussie fans when I land on the 4th in Melbourne and start there my preparation for the Australian Open."
The Australian Open runs from January 15-28.
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