Rafael Nadal 'not ready' after declining Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships wild card

World No 2 continues recovery from back issue sustained in the lead-up to the Australian Open

Spain's Rafael Nadal during his second-round victory against Michael Mmoh of the United States at the Australian Open on February 11. Reuters

Rafael Nadal defeated American qualifier Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday. Getty

A spectator is escorted from Rod Laver Arena by security for shouting abuse at Rafael Nadal during his win over Michael Mmoh. AP

A women is removed from the arena during yesterday's game. Getty

Rafael Nadal during the match when a spectator was removed for shouting abuse at the Spaniard. Reuters

Rafael Nadal plays a backhand at Melbourne Park. Getty

Rafael shakes hands with Michael Mmoh after the match. Reuters

Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Michael Mmoh. Reuters

Spain's Rafael Nadal adjusts his headband in Melbourne. AFP

Fans of Spain's Rafael Nadal during the match. Reuters

Rafael Nadal has said he does not feel ready to compete at next week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after turning down a wild card invitation for the ATP 500 event.

The world No 2 has yet to fully recover from the back injury he suffered ahead of last month's Australian Open where he was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has not played since that defeat and was awarded a wild card to compete at the March 14-20 tournament at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

"I would like to thank the @DDFTennis for the wild card invitation sent to me," Nadal said on Twitter. "We seriously thought about coming to play, but I don't think I am ready to play yet."

Nadal's withdrawal denies a potential showdown with long-time rival Roger Federer, himself on the comeback trail after missing most of 2020 with a knee injury.

Joining the Swiss legend and eight-time Dubai winner is 2020 US Open champion and top seed Dominic Thiem.

They will be fighting it out with, among other star names, world No 8 Andrey Rublev, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, 2020 Dubai semi-finalist Gael Monfils, 2018 Dubai champion Roberto Bautista Agut, and 2021 Montpellier winner David Goffin.