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Doubts remain over Rafael Nadal’s injured knee. Photo: AFP

Rafael Nadal pulls out of Australian Open warm-up event

World No 1 has not played since pulling out of World Tour Finals with knee injury and will now miss Brisbane International

World No 1 Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Brisbane International with a knee injury, but said he still intends to play in next month’s Australian Open.

The Spaniard, who has not played since losing to David Goffin at the World Tour Finals in London, was expected to start his season in Brisbane this weekend.

“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.”

But Nadal said he still planned to play in the year’s opening grand slam tournament, starting in Melbourne on January 15.

Rafael Nadal won six trophies in 2017, including a 10th Roland Garros title. Photo: AFP

“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 added.

Reports casting doubt over Nadal’s recovery from an injury to his right knee surfaced when he pulled out of an exhibition in Abu Dhabi this week and took at least four days off from practice.

Nadal, 31, had a stellar 2017, claiming a 10th French Open, a third US Open crown and the year-ending world number one spot.

Nadal added two Masters titles at Monte Carlo and Madrid to his triumphs at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows, finishing the campaign with six trophies.

The 16-time grand slam champion also secured the year-ending top ranking for a fourth time.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Nadal pulls out of Brisbane event
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