Nadal Will Not Compete Against Australia Tuesday
Rafael Nadal announced on Twitter that he will not compete on Tuesday evening in Team Spain’s opening tie against Team Australia at the ATP Cup due to a stiff lower back.
“Hi all, we have decided with Team Spain and my team to not play today [in] the first match of the ATP Cup here in Melbourne since I have a stiff lower back,” Nadal wrote. “Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday. We have a strong team.”
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. Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday. We have a strong team, all the to @pablocarreno91 @BautistaAgut & @M_Granollers #vamos ??
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) February 2, 2021
Roberto Bautista Agut, who went 6-0 at last year’s ATP Cup without losing a set, will play Alex de Minaur in the No. 1 singles match, and World No. 16 Pablo Carreno Busta will step in to compete at No. 2 singles against John Millman.
Spain advanced to the championship match at last year’s inaugural ATP Cup, falling 2-1 against Serbia.