NADAL PULLS OUT OF ABU DHABI EVENT

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's season-opening exhibition event in Abu Dhabi due to ongoing fitness problems, the world number one has said.

Th 16-time grand slam champion, who won the French and US Opens earlier this year, withdrew from the ATP Finals in November after struggling with a Knee injury during his round-robin defeat by Belgian David Goffin.

The 31 year old Spaniard, who has previously played at the tournament on eight occasions, will be replaced by compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut. 

''It was a tough 2017 and I need to take my calendar in a different way in order to be ready,'' Nadal told the Mubadala World Tennis Championships website.

''For this reason, I have sadly announced to the organizers and now to you fans that I won't play this time in Abu Dhabi.''

Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic have also withdrawn from the tournament, which is held from Dec 28-30.

The Australian Open, the first major of the new season, begins on Jan 15.