Rafael Nadal plans to take a month off after the 2012 Australian Open to rest a nagging shoulder injury.
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The Spaniard, who will travel to Australia for the first Grand Slam event of 2012 which gets underway on January 16th, plans to take February off to rest and also practice.
Nadal, who only made the decision to defend his title at this week's World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi a few days ago, says he is still struggling with the injury that hampered him during last month's ATP World Tour finals in London.
He is still scheduled to compete in Doha at the Qatar Open next week.
Nadal will Davis Cup team-mate and close friend David Ferrer on Friday in the Abu Dhabi semi-finals.
