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
-
Lands Minister Kofi Buah touts Ghana’s superior forest management credentials at UN
17 minutes -
Dubai Chamber leads 19-Company Trade Mission to Ghana as non-oil trade hits AED39.6bn
29 minutes -
Supreme Court admits Methodist Church Trustees in controversial Wesley Girls’ SHS case
31 minutes -
Aflao Traditional Council opposes relocation of High Court
34 minutes -
NADMO clears fallen tree at Ataala Junction after heavy rainfall
36 minutes -
PBC secures GH₵30m financing facility to pay cocoa farmers
48 minutes -
PAC disappointed over neglect of Ghana’s New York Mission building
55 minutes -
Mighty Minority ready to take on NDC in 2028 – Annoh-Dompreh
57 minutes -
Family of murdered Momo vendor gives IGP 14-day ultimatum or they’ll occupy Ketu police command
1 hour -
Abronye DC’s health is deterioting in detention – Oppong Nkrumah
1 hour -
CDSU marks milestones in Global Diplomatic Education and Institutional Evolution
1 hour -
Of 5,000 hectares and 5,000 acres: The ‘small matter’ of land size for Petroleum Hub project
1 hour -
Man killed in Bibiani-Asawinso galamsey clash, site owner arrested
1 hour -
Lack of basic educational facilities threatens quality learning at Bueko School
1 hour -
Over 16 NPP members arrested over social media commentary – Oppong Nkrumah alleges
1 hour