Rafael Nadal forfeits Spain's first ATP Cup game

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, who experiences back pain, has withdrawn from Spain's first meeting at the ATP Cup. He was due to face Australian Alex de Minaur on Tuesday.

Reuters

Rafael Nadal will not start his season this Tuesday against Alex de Minaur. The world No.2 was due to face the Australian in Spain's ATP Cup debut. But the player announced his package for this meeting on Twitter a few hours before entering the court. He complains of pain in his lower back.

"I hope it will be better for Thursday," he wrote. On February 4, Spain will face Greece, still in the ATP Cup, and Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas. While waiting to know if he will be available for this duel, his compatriots (Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers) will have to face the Australian team without him.

Source: Website