30 Jan 2014

Nadal's bad back won't affect schedule

5:29 pm on 30 January 2014

Rafael Nadal has taken anti-inflammatories and undergone intensive physiotherapy to alleviate the lower back problem that forced him to a shock defeat in last week's final of the Australian Open.

The world number one says the injury will not affect his playing schedule and he still plans to compete in Buenos Aires next month.

Nadal has undergone tests in Barcelona followed by treatment before returning to his native Mallorca to rest.

He lost to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in four sets in the Australian Open final, which prevented him drawing level on 14 grand slam singles titles with American Pete Sampras, three short of record holder Roger Federer.