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Taking it easy: Rafael Nadal. (ABC: Tony Trung)
Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Brazil Open doubles tournament because of "knee overuse", according to the Open's organisers.
Nadal had been scheduled to team up with Argentina's David Nalbandian in a second-round encounter against Argentine Horacio Zeballos and Oliver Marach of Austria.
But organisers said the Spanish star intends to play his opening singles match on Thursday against Brazilian Joao Souza.
Former world number one Nadal only returned to the tour in Chile last week, where he lost in the final, after a seven-month injury absence.
"Nadal thought it was preferable to stay in his hotel and prepare for his singles match tomorrow," a Brazil Open spokesman said.
"He discussed the issue with Nalbandian and the two agreed not to play the doubles. It was a joint decision."
Nalbandian told reporters the conditions were "very difficult."
"The court is not in the best condition and the ball is very difficult to control," he said.
"It's too bad I cannot play the doubles after the match Rafa and I had [yesterday]... But he has to take care of himself and prepare for a long and hard year."
AFP
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