With eye on Australian Open, Rafael Nadal withdraws from Brisbane

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's ATP tournament in Brisbane, but says he still plans to play the Australian Open.

The world No. 1 took a longer offseason break than usual to rest his injured knee, and went to Barcelona a week ago to again see his doctor about the injury. The lingering problem appears to have limited his offseason training, with the Spaniard having also withdrawn from this week's Abu Dhabi exhibition and saying he is "still not ready" to return to competition at Brisbane.

But Nadal added that he would travel to Melbourne next week, indicating that he is planning to play the Australian Open:

Nadal joins Kei Nishikori in withdrawing from Brisbane, while Andy Murray still plans on beginning his comeback at the ATP tournament. Murray is first stopping in Abu Dhabi for some more training.

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