Audio By Carbonatix
Rafael Nadal pulled out of Spain's opening ATP Cup tie with a lower back problem less than a week before he launches his bid for a record 21st men's Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
The world number two, 34, was scheduled to face Australia's Alex de Minaur at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
"I have a stiff low back," Nadal wrote on Twitter. "Hopefully I'll be better for Thursday."
Spain play Greece on Thursday.
Spain were runners-up to Serbia in the final of last year's inaugural ATP Cup.
The men's team event, which has been reduced to 12 teams from 24, is being played at the same time as five other tournaments at Melbourne Park this week after a strict quarantine for all players who arrived in the country for the Australian Open.
Nadal played an exhibition match in Adelaide on Friday, beating Austrian world number three Dominic Thiem 7-5 6-4.
Latest Stories
-
Businessman RNAQ denies ever assaulting ex-wife, challenges authenticity of viral video
27 minutes -
Fire razes Sunyani Magistrate Courts ‘A’ and ‘B’, destroys case records, equipment
32 minutes -
Best-performing BECE candidate in Wa East to enjoy full scholarship – MP announces
46 minutes -
Dambai: Passengers reject ferry fare increment, threaten to protest on Monday
58 minutes -
‘If people cannot think beyond party, they should stop opening their mouths’ — Rev. Prof Mante warns
1 hour -
Asantehene honours Prophet Uche with gold coin at 27th anniversary gala
2 hours -
The Silent Decay of the Last Mile: Can a GH¢3.46bn gamble save Ghana’s grid?
2 hours -
Orbán steps down from Hungarian parliament after landslide defeat
2 hours -
Trump said RFK Jr could run ‘wild’ with health policy. Instead he’s reined him in
2 hours -
Netanyahu orders army to ‘vigorously attack’ Hezbollah in Lebanon
2 hours -
Colombia president says rebels behind highway bombing that killed 14 people
2 hours -
‘We’re not afraid of anybody’- Rev. Prof Mante fumes over attack on clergyman for galamsey comment
2 hours -
The eerie abandoned vehicles in Chernobyl’s ‘dead zone’
2 hours -
Fire guts District Magistrate Court ‘B’ in Sunyani
3 hours -
Power outages hit Ashanti, Central regions after Akosombo Substation fire
3 hours