Rafael Nadal a major doubt for Australian Open after withdrawing from Brisbane warm-up

The Spaniard has been suffering with an injury to his right knee for months, and was last seen in action pulling out of a tournament in November due to soreness

Rafael Nadal is a major doubt for the Australian Open (AFP)

Rafael Nadal is a doubt for the Australian Open after pulling out of this week's warm-up event in Brisbane.

The Spaniard has been suffering with an injury to his right knee for months, and was last seen in action pulling out of a tournament in November due to soreness.

Despite over a month off, Nadal revealed he will not be fit in time for the Brisbane International but still intends to take part in the year's first Grand Slam - even if he has no warm-up tournaments under his belt.

"I am sorry to announce I won’t be coming to Brisbane this year," he said in a statement.

"My intention was to play but I am still not ready after last year’s long season and the late start of my preparation."

Andy Murray still hopes to play in Brisbane after his own fitness issues, while world no. 3 Grigor Dimitrov will be the top-seeded player at the event, which begins on Sunday.