Nadal out of Australian Open

World number four Rafael Nadal will not participate at next month’s Australian Open after being forced to withdraw due to a stomach virus. The 2009 Aussie Open champion had only just recovered from a knee injury that had sidelined the 26-year-old for six months – since his second round defeat at Wimbledon in June. Nadal said in a statement his knee was much better but the virus has prevented him practicing during the past week and that doctors have advised a week’s rest without any sport. The Australian Open begins on January 14th in Melbourne.