Nadal out of ATP Cup with injury

MELBOURNE: World No 2 Rafael Nadal said he pulled out of Spain’s opening ATP Cup tie in Melbourne on Tuesday with a lower back problem with less than a week left for the Australian Open. Nadal was due to play the second singles against Alex De Minaur in Spain’s tie against hosts Australia but pulled out hours before his match.

“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,” Nadal said on Twitter.