Rafael Nadal has suffered a setback ahead of the first grand slam of 2018 after withdrawing from the Brisbane International.
The world No.1 was set to kick off his new season at the tournament for the second year in the row, but has now confirmed he will not be playing. In a statement Nadal said that he would not be ready in time to compete at the event. The world No.1 had recently been troubled by as knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the ATP Finals in November.
“I am sorry to announce I won’t be coming to Brisbane this year,” Nadal said on Twitter on Thursday.
“My intention was to play but I am still not ready after last year’s long season and the late start of my preparation.”
Concerns about the state of Nadal’s knee surfaced last week after he also withdrew from an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi following a medical examination in Barcelona. Citing the same reason as his withdrawal from Brisbane. During the off-season it was also reported that the Spaniard cancelled a training block with fellow player Joao Sousa due to his knee.
João Sousa told my friend @celiamarina that it was Nadal who cancelled their practice week in Mallorca. “He still isn’t ready to practice with me. He called me to tell me he was not feeling well”.
Per the same source, Rafa went to Barcelona on Monday to check his knees again.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) 20 December 2017
The injury issue occurs less than three weeks before the start of the Australian Open. Nadal was runner-up to Roger Federer in this year’s final and will therefore have a wealth of points to defend.
Despite the setback, Nadal has insisted that he is still on course to play at the Australian Open, which will start on January 15th. Since 2004, he has only missed the tournament twice in 2006 and 2013.
“I will be seeing my Aussie fans when I land on the 4th (of January) in Melbourne and start there my preparation for the Australian Open,” he said.
As a result of Nadal’s withdrawal from Brisbane, Grigor Dimitrov will be the top seed in the tournament.
