New Delhi: World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's $400,000 ATP Chennai Open due to his slow recovery from a foot injury, organisers said on Monday.
The 19-year-old, who damaged his left foot during the Madrid Masters final in October, had also missed the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai in November.
Nadal was expected to recover in time for the January 2-8 event in Chennai but was advised by doctors to allow more time for the injury to heal.
"Both my medical team and I have been working very hard during the last few weeks so that I could participate at Chennai," Nadal said in a statement released by the organisers.
"But my doctor has now recommended that I dont play and its my misfortune that I cant make it."
It was not immediately clear if Nadal will be fit for the year's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, in Melbourne from January 15-29.
Nadal said he has donated $25,000 towards a relief fund in Chennai for victims of the tsunami tragedy a year ago.
"I hope this contribution will help many families return to normalcy," he said.
Nadal had a phenomenal 2005 during which he won 10 titles, including the French Open, to hold the number two ranking behind Roger Federer.
World No. 9 Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia will replace Nadal in the 32-man draw at Chennai, organisers said.
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