Rafael Nadal had hoped to return the tour at the season-opening Abu Dhabi exhibition next week but has announced a change of plans.

“It was a tough 2017 and I need to take my calendar in a different way in order to be ready. For this reason, I have sadly announced to the organisers and now to you fans that I won't play this time in Abu Dhabi.”

The 31-year old was forced to withdraw from the ATP World Tour Finals in November.