Rafael Nadal will not be taking part in next month's China Open and Shanghai Masters as he says he is still struggling with his long standing knee issue.
The world number one was forced to retire from his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro earlier this month because of the problem in his right knee.
And Nadal wrote on Twitter on Wednesday: "This past Monday I was in Barcelona looking with the doctors at the situation of my knee.
"While the discomfort in my knee is nothing new, we decided together with my medical and technical team not to participate in the Asian tour so we can help the knee recover in the way we have always done."
The 32-year-old Spaniard added: "I regret not being able to be with all the fans in China.."
The China Open in Beijing starts on October 1 and the Shanghai Masters begins seven days later.
Last year Nadal won the former event and finished runner-up at the latter.
Related tennis links
