World men's tennis number 1 to play an exhibition event at Melbourne Park

World men's tennis number one Rafael Nadal, who is struggling to get any match practice before the Australian Open, will play an exhibition event at Melbourne Park in the week leading up to the season-opening grand slam.

The 31‑year‑old Spaniard has not played since he withdrew from the season‑ending World Tour Finals in London in November last year with a knee injury.

He had already withdrawn from an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, this week's Brisbane International and another event in Sydney, citing a lack of time to properly prepare.

However, the 16‑times grand slam winner will be part of the winner-takes-all Tie Break Tens event at Melbourne Park on January 10th, five days before the Australian Open begins.

Source: Radio NZ