Rafael Nadal withdraws from Swiss Indoors on doctor's advice

The world number one, who has a long history of knee problems, wore tape during his final defeat by Roger Federer in the Shanghai Masters last weekend.

Nadal has enjoyed great success on hard courts this summer but has made no secret of how gruelling he finds the surface on his body.

After winning the US Open last month and then winning the China Open title in Beijing immediately before his run to the final in Shanghai, Nadal has decided to take a week off.

The Spaniard wrote on Facebook: "I sadly announce that I have to pull out of the Swiss Indoors Basel.

"After seeing my doctor in Spain just after landing from Shanghai, I am suffering from an over-stressing of the knee and the problems were already present at the tournament in Shanghai, which now forces me to take time off on advice of my doctor.

"After two great weeks in China, with the title in Beijing and the final in Shanghai, it is time for some rest.

"I want to send a special message to the many tennis fans in Switzerland, which have always showed great support and respect also on my matches with Roger. Hope to see you next year."

Nadal's withdrawal from the tournament in Federer's home town potentially opens the door to the Swiss for the year-end world number one spot.

Federer currently sits nearly 2,000 points behind Nadal but there are 3,000 up for grabs from Basel, the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals.

Nadal's next event is now scheduled to be the final Masters tournament of the season in Paris, starting on October 30.