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Nadal withdraws from Abu Dhabi, still plans on playing Brisbane

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Dec 28, 2018

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Rafael Nadal has decided to withdraw from Abu Dhabi following his opening-round defeat at the hands of Kevin Anderson. However, the world No. 2 insists he is just being cautious as he returns from an injury layoff.

Nadal lost in three sets against Anderson, and the match lasted just about two hours. The Spaniard had been off the court since experiencing a knee injury during the semifinals of the US Open, and also underwent ankle surgery while sidelined from the tour. He was scheduled to face Karen Khachanov in a third-place playoff at Abu Dhabi, but instead wants to take a couple of days off.

"I will not play," he was quoted by local press as saying. "I want to do things step by step. I spent more time on the court than I thought. I am not making steps back, just steps forward all the time, taking care of my body and trying to do things slowly."

Nadal is scheduled to make his official return to competition next week at Brisbane, followed by the Australian Open. Having played just one hard-court event at full strength this season, he wants to be especially careful as he returns to his least favorite surface.

"It's important for me to protect the body and to avoid tough circumstances," he said. "I know I have time to be ready for Melbourne at 100 percent."

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Nadal withdraws from Abu Dhabi, still plans on playing Brisbane

Nadal withdraws from Abu Dhabi, still plans on playing Brisbane

**Hopman Cup (Sat - Sat 12.29 - 1.5)

•    Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber headline the Hopman Cup. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Saturday 12/29 at 9:00pm ET.**

**ATP/WTA Brisbane (Sun - Sun 12.30 - 1.6)

•    Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens open their 2019 seasons in Brisbane. Live coverage from three courts begins on Tennis Channel Plus on Sunday 12/30 at 8:00pm ET.**

**WTA Auckland (Sun - Sun 12.30 - 1.6)

•    Catch the action from the ASB Classic including Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki. Live coverage begins on Tennis Channel Plus on Sunday 12/30 at 8:00pm ET.**

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•    Watch first to last ball action from the Shenzhen Open featuring Maria Sharapova and Jelena Ostapenko beginning Saturday 12/29 at 11:00pm ET.**

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