December 28, 2017 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
The top-ranked player on the ATP World Tour Rafael Nadal announced that he has withdrawn from next week’s Brisbane International.
Nadal said that he is not ready to return to competition just yet following his long 2017 season.
“I am sorry to announce I won’t be coming to Brisbane this year. My intention was to play but I am still not ready after last year’s long season and the late start of my preparation,” Nadal said on Twitter. “I had a great time there and it was a great start to the month I spent in Australia. I will be seeing my Aussie fans when I land on the fourth in Melbourne and start there my preparation for the Australian Open.”
Nadal has been dealing with a knee issue which has limited his ability to train this offseason, rendering him unable to play in Brisbane but with the plan to return at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard joins Kei Nishikori as top players who have withdrawn from Brisbane.
