Nadal’s withdrawal bad omen for Australian Open

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – French Open champion Rafel Nadal’s
withdrawal from the season-opening ATP tour event in Chennai
could be a bad omen for Australian Open organizers.

Nadal, the world number two, withdrew from the tournament
in India beginning on January 2 because of a persistent foot
injury he sustained during the Madrid Masters final in October.

The injury also forced his withdrawal from the
season-ending Masters Cup final tournament in Shanghai last
month.

“Both my medical team and I have been working very hard
during the last few weeks so that I could participate at
Chennai,” the 19-year-old was reported as saying by the BBC.

“But my doctor has now recommended that I don’t play and
it’s my misfortune that I can’t make it.”

Nadal is the latest in a list of high-profile players to
withdraw from season-opening tournaments or place their
appearance at the Australian Open, the year’s first grand slam,
into question.

Australian Open champion Marat Safin has already withdrawn
from the Hopman Cup mixed-team event in Perth because of a
persistent knee injury. He has not played since August.

Former Australian Open champion Andre Agassi has also
questioned whether he will be able to make the tournament
beginning on January 16 because of a long-standing ankle
injury.

On the women’s side, former world number one Maria
Sharapova has also withdrawn from the Australian hardcourt
championships on the Gold Coast as she attempts to recover from
a shoulder injury.