Rafael Nadal in injury scare ahead of Australian Open as he pulls out of ATP Cup opener
Rafael Nadal has suffered an injury scare ahead of the Australian Open with the world No 2 forced to skip Spain’s ATP Cup tie against Australia.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner was due to kick off his 2021 campaign against Australia’s Alex de Minaur in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon.
However, a lower back problem forced him to withdraw from the day’s action.
Hi all, we have decided with #TeamSpain and my team, to not play today the first match of the @ATPCup here in #Melbourne since I have a stiff low back. Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday. We have a strong team, all the to @pablocarreno91 @BautistaAgut & @M_Granollers #vamos 🇪🇸
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) February 2, 2021
“Hi all, we have decided with #TeamSpain and my team, to not play today the first match of the @ATPCup here in #Melbourne since I have a stiff low back,” he wrote on social media. “Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday.”
Pablo Carreño Busta will instead take to court on Tuesday, but Spain have made tweaks as Roberto Bautista Agut will now take on De Minaur with Carreño Busta facing John Millman first up. Carreno Busta will then team up with Marcel Granollers in the doubles.
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