Rafael Nadal withdraws from Brisbane International with thigh strain

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Brisbane International with a left thigh strain but hopes to be fit for the Australian Open this month.

The World No.2 said he had wanted to play but that after an MRI scan his doctors had advised him not to.

"They say if I play here, there is a risk... to not have the chance to play Melbourne," he said in a statement.

The Spaniard, 32, missed November's ATP Finals to have ankle surgery, having also had an abdominal muscle problem.

Japan's Taro Daniel will replace Nadal in round two in Brisbane against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Nadal withdrew from an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week after losing his opening match to Kevin Anderson.