By Chris Oddo | Wednesday December 28, 2017
Rafael Nadal isn't ready to begin the 2018 season but plans to arrive in Melbourne fully fit on January 4th.
Photo Source: AP
Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week’s Brisbane International in order to continue his pre-season preparations before arriving in Melbourne for the 2018 Australian Open.
“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 wrote on social media. “I will be seeing my Aussie fans when I land on the 4th in Melbourne and start there my preparation for the Australian Open.”
Nadal was originally scheduled to play the Mubadala World Championships in Abu Dhabi, but pulled out of the event last week. Concerns about the state of Nadal's health began to grow more serious when he cancelled a scheduled fitness block with Portugal's Joao Sousa.
At this time it is not known if Nadal's Australian Open plans are truly in jeopardy or if he has simply realized that playing too much tennis prior to the year's first major would be counter productive.
The 16-time major champion pulled out of this year’s ATP Finals in November due to a right knee injury, ending a season that saw him go 67-11 with six titles and two Grand Slam crowns. He has been practicing at his academy in Mallorca and believes he’ll be fit enough to play at the Australian Open, which begins on January 15th.