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
-
Ghana needs a law to sustain constitutional reforms – CDD-Ghana
3 hours -
COVID fumigation audit: Auditor-General has a lot of questions to answer – Akwatia MP
3 hours -
Stranded Ghanaian medical graduates in Cuba appeal to Mahama for immediate return
3 hours -
GNFS contains fire outbreak at Teshie Lekma Road near Lekma Hospital
9 hours -
Samia Nkrumah rejects the narrative that Ghanaians were happy after Nkrumah’s overthrow
10 hours -
A Mother’s pain: Tribute by Ivan Baidoo’s mother
11 hours -
‘Forgive us for staying away’ — Samia Nkrumah leads family back to Nkroful, pledges to preserve Nkrumah’s legacy
11 hours -
Ernest Nuamah scores twice as Lyon beat Rennes
11 hours -
‘My dear Ivan’ – A father’s tribute to a son tragically killed
11 hours -
GNPC Explorco advances Voltaian Basin drilling preparations with 13.5km access road
11 hours -
Cabinet approves facility manager for Borteyman Sports Complex – Kofi Adams
12 hours -
Sanitation is improving; critics may be ‘living in another world’ – Salaga South MP replies Bekwai MP
12 hours -
Government must do more to tackle sanitation crisis – Bekwai MP
12 hours -
World Cleanup Day: GFF begins sanitation education in local communities
12 hours -
EU Ambassador, IGP discuss stronger cooperation on policing and security
12 hours