Nadal Out of Australian Open

The world No2 Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Australian Open because of injury.

Nadal, the 19-year-old Spaniard, has been struggling with a foot problem sustained in the Madrid Masters in October and was forced to miss last week's Chennai Open and this week's Sydney International.

The French Open champion says his injury is on the mend and he took part in a full clay-court training session against Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten in Barcelona yesterday.

But he is still not 100% and Nadal admits it is probably best if he sits out the year's opening grand slam, which starts in Melbourne on Monday, in order to continue his recovery.

"I am slower than normal, mainly when I have to run to my right," Nadal said in Marca. "It is clear that if I travelled to Australia it would not be either at my best tennis-wise nor physically."

Nadal has appeared in two Australian Open championships, with his best singles appearance coming in 2004 when he reached the fourth round.