WORLD number two Rafael Nadal will avoid competitive action next February, as he tries to recover fully from a shoulder injury. Nadal, who is taking part in the World Tennis Championships exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi this week, will take the break after the Australian Open in a bid to rid himself of the recurring problem that has plagued him in recent months.
He will use the time to recover and train but will not play in any tournaments.
“I am still not 100 per cent,” the Spaniard, 25, said. “I had a problem before London with my shoulder and I had to stop for about 10 days before the (ATP) Finals.
“It felt better again but resurfaced, I couldn’t practise. I have to stop after Australia and have a chance to practise, to prepare for the rest of the season. The most important part of the season starts with Indian Wells (in March) and ends with Wimbledon, and this year it ends with the Olympics.”
Nadal was given a bye to the semi-finals of the three-day, six-man invitational tournament in Dubai, and he will play compatriot David Ferrer for a place in the final against either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer.
The Australian Open starts on January 16 and lasts for two weeks.