"Especially knowing this is going to be his last year": Barbara Schett reacts to 'tough news' surrounding Rafael Nadal's Australian Open withdrawal

Former Austrian tennis player Barbara Schett has expressed disappointment after hearing the news that the former world number one Rafael Nadal will not going to take part at the Australian Open.

The first Grand Slam of the year is set to begin in less than a week where players from all over the world will showcase their talent at the highest level and battle to secure the ultimate prize.

Nadal, who made a comeback to professional tennis after a gap of nearly one year, announced that he will not take part at the Australian Open after suffering an injury during the Brisbane International.

Schett was recently quoted in a report where she expressed disappointment but is hoping to see the 22-time Grand Slam winner returning to the court soon.

“I was just sitting together with my family having a beautiful dinner here in Australia, and then the terrible news arrived that Rafa Nadal has to pull out of the Australian Open,” said the 47-year-old.

“We know that he had some tough matches in Brisbane and had some problems with his injury, and he got an MRI done and it showed that there was a micro tear in his muscle. Once again, it's the old injury, which is back, and of course he doesn’t want to risk anything; that's why he wants to go back to Spain.

“We will not see him at the Australian Open, which is horrible for the fans. Of course, tennis fans have been waiting for him for so long, for the fans in Melbourne and also for the tournament. It's really, really tough news, especially knowing that this is going to be his last year.

“We won't see him back here on the court at the Australian Open, but I do understand that he wants to make sure that his body is fit. We know that he puts the emphasis on the clay-court season. He wants to play well there, he wants to be fit and healthy. He wants to compete in the Olympics as well, so he has to rest up."