ATP Cup: Rafael Nadal pulls out of opener with back problem as Novak Djokovic wins
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Rafael Nadal is aiming to overtake Roger Federer by winning a record 21st men's Grand Slam title this month
Rafael Nadal pulled out of Spain's opening ATP Cup tie with a lower back problem less than a week before he bids for a record 21st men's Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
The world number two, 34, was scheduled to face Australia's Alex de Minaur at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Nadal said he hoped to play for 2020 runners-up Spain against Greece on Thursday.
Novak Djokovic earlier gave defending champions Serbia a winning start.
World number one Djokovic beat Denis Shapovalov 7-5 7-5 as Serbia claimed a 2-1 win over Canada in their opening Group A match.
Milos Raonic had put Canada ahead with a 6-3 6-4 win over Dusan Lajovic but Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic won the doubles match against Raonic and Shapovalov 7-5 7-6 (7-4).
Defending Australian Open champion Djokovic has won all 10 singles and doubles matches he has played at the ATP Cup, which was introduced to the tennis calendar in 2020.
Novak Djokovic (left) has not lost a singles or doubles match at the ATP Cup
US Open champion Dominic Thiem had a disappointing day as Austria lost 2-1 to Italy.
World number three Thiem, who reached the final of the Australian Open last year, was beaten 6-2 6-4 by 10th-ranked Matteo Berrettini.
Compatriot Denis Novak beat Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-4 but the Italians paired up for the doubles match to beat Novak and Thiem 6-1 6-4.
The men's team event, which has been reduced to 12 teams from 24, is being played at the same time as five other tournaments at Melbourne Park this week after a strict quarantine for all players who arrived in the country for the Australian Open.
You can stream all the goals and highlights from Sunday's Premier League matches with Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer
