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Nadal's withdrawal bad omen for Australian Open

Posted on: Monday, 26 December 2005, 23:38 CST

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Australian Open champion Marat Safin has already withdrawn from the Hopman Cup mixed-team event in Perth because of a persistent knee injury.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On the women's side, former world number one Maria Sharapova has also withdrawn from the Australian hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast as she attempts to recover from a shoulder injury.

Source: REUTERS

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