Stomach virus rules Nadal out of Abu Dhabi return

Former world number one Rafael Nadal’s long-awaited return after an agonising six-month knee injury battle has been put off because of a stomach infection he revealed on his Twitter and Facebook sites this week.

The 26-year-old Spaniard – who has not played since his shock second-round exit to 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June – had been due to play in a six-player exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi this week ahead of his return to the ATP circuit at Doha starting next Monday.

He was due to join world number one Novak Djokovic and US Open champion Andy Murray among others at the three-day event.

“I am really sorry but I cannot compete this year in Abu Dhabi,” wrote the seven-time French Open champion and presently ranked number four in the world.

“Everything was ready and I was really eager to return to competition, but the doctors have forbidden me to participate in Abu Dhabi because of a viral infection of the stomach which has provoked a fever.”

Nadal, an 11-time Grand Slam title winner, has been plagued by knee injuries throughout his career, a legacy of his all-action style.

But last week he shrugged off any fears that despite falling to number four in the world rankings, he is no longer a threat to top guns Djokovic, Murray and world number two Roger Federer.

“I haven’t forgotten how to play. I have played over 600 ATP matches and I have spent two years without playing. My feeling is good. I won Roland Garros and those emotions are still with me,” he said.

“The doctors say the knee is fine and that is great news for me. I still feel something, it’s not perfect.”

Nadal insisted he is not bitter over his recent experiences.

“I have accepted it as normal, as part of my career, part of my job. It’s another challenge,” he told marca.com.

“All I can do is try. But people have to realise that when you’re so many months without competing you need time to progress.”