Rafael Nadal to skip second ATP Cup tie on Thursday

Rafael Nadal was supposed to lead his country towards the title at the 2021 ATP Cup, however, the Spaniard now needed to withdraw from the first tie against Australia as well as the second tie against Greece.

After losing to Serbia in the final last year, Spain and Rafael Nadal have even greater motivation to win the title in 2021. The strong team around Rafael Nadal came to Australia to fight for the trophy, however, they will need to show their strength without the world number 2.

Rafael Nadal withdrew from the opening tie against Australia and so Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno-Busta, and Marcel Granollers took care of the first point for the Team of Spain.

“Hi all, we have decided with Team Spain and my team to not play today [in] the first match of the ATP Cup here in Melbourne since I have a stiff lower back,” Nadal wrote. “Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday. We have a strong team.”

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal will not play against Greece in the second ATP Cup tie on Thursday, struggling with a minor back injury and not risking anything ahead of the Australian Open.

Nadal led Spain towards the final at the last year's ATP Cup but has not been able to help his country so far, with Spain beating Australia 3-0 on Tuesday. Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut defeated John Millman and Alex de Minaur to lead Spain towards the triumph, and they need one victory against Greece to secure the semi-final berth.