Rafael Nadal.

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Frank Augstein / AP / SIPA

Rafael Nadal withdrew from his ATP Cup match between Spain and Australia on Tuesday, complaining of stiff lower back less than a week away from the Australian Open's first tournament. of the grand slam of the year, which opens Monday.

"Hello everyone, we have decided with the Spanish team and my staff not to play today the first match of the ATP Cup here in Melbourne because I have a stiff back", tweeted the N. 2 worldwide.

The Spaniard, with 20 major titles, was due to start his season against Australia's Alex De Minaur, in the group B match between Spain and Australia of the ATP Cup, a competing tournament of the Davis Cup created last year.

Nadal said he hoped to have recovered by Thursday, when Spain meet Greece.

Nadal in search of a new record

Given his forfeit, it's Roberto Bautista Agut who will now face de Minaur, while John Millman is currently playing Pablo Carreno Busta in the first match.

Nadal, in search of a 21st grand slam tournament at the Australian Open to surpass the record Roger Federer, injured, had beaten during an exhibition in Adelaide on Friday the Austrian Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-4 .

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