Top seed Nadal pulls out of Thailand Open

Bangkok: Top-seeded Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Thailand Open due to an abdominal injury that his doctor said will require at least two weeks of rest.An ultrasound found that Nadal had an "acute rupture of his right abdominal muscle" that will require physiotherapy, rest and medication for "two to three weeks," the chief doctor of the Spanish Tennis Federation said in a statement released by tournament organisers today.

The Thailand Open runs from September 26-October 4. Nadal has expressed his disappointment for the cancellation and being unable to take a planned pre-tournament vacation to the Thai island of Krabi, the statement added. Nadal sustained the injury during the US Open earlier this month, where he lost his semifinal in straight sets to Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine went on to capture his first Grand Slam title with an upset victory over top-ranked Roger Federer in the final. The injury also forced No 2-ranked Nadal to sit out Spain`s Davis Cup semifinal win over Israel on the weekend. Nadal has struggled with injuries this season, with sore knees keeping him off tour for all of June and July - forcing him to skip a title defense at Wimbledon - and the abdominal muscle issue flaring up during his third-round victory over Nicolas Almagro at the US Open. Bureau Report