Nadal out, Ferrer in for Buenos Aires Copa Claro

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Buenos Aires Copa Claro ATP 250 tournament, where the world number one had intended to restart the season after the back injury he suffered in the final of the Australian Open last month.

“I have to make an announcement that fills me with sadness, which is that I won’t be in Buenos Aires because I haven’t been able to train since Australia with a back injury,” Nadal said in a video posted online. “I also had a stomach virus that has pushed everything back. With three days until the tournament and not having practiced it is impossible to prepare properly for an important tournament like Buenos Aires.”

Nadal is expected to make a return to the Tour in Rio de Janeiro the week after next.

Meanwhile, David Ferrer confirmed that he will return to Argentina to defend the title he won in 2012 and 2013.

Ferrer leads a strong Spanish field of nine players that will also feature Nicolás Almagro, who has recovered from a shoulder problem that caused him to miss the Australian Open and will be seeded second, and Tommy Robredo, the fourth seed.

Almagro began his quest for the only Golden Swing clay-court title to elude him at Viña del Mar, Chile, on Thursday with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Martin Alund. Almagro, the world number 13, has previously won six titles in Acapulco (2008-09), Costa Do Sauípe (2008, 2011), Buenos Aires (2011) and São Paulo (2012). He leads the all-time standing in the Golden Swing from Ferrer, who has five.