Tennis Nadal fails to recover from injury in time for Doha and Dubai

[Lupin]

Rafael Nadal has reportedly failed to recover from a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open to make it in time for the Qatar Open in Doha (from Feb 20) and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (from Feb 27).

Nadal indicated he would likely be out for up to eight weeks following his exit to American Mackenzie McDonald in Melbourne.

A day after exiting the Australian Open, the Spaniard said: "I have undergone medical tests after losing.

"The MRI shows a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle in my left leg. Now it's time for sports rest and anti-inflammatory physiotherapy. Normal recovery time 6 to 8 weeks."

Nadal will now target Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami in March.