The 28-year-old Argentine player withdrew from the Auckland tuneup tournament this week and informed Australian Open organizers Wednesday that he was unable to contest the opening Grand Slam event of the season.
The former No. 3-ranked Nalbandian hasn't played a tournament since May, when he underwent hip surgery. He tore an abdominal muscle while warming up at Auckland.
Nalbandian reached the quarterfinals or better at the Australian Open from 2003 to 2006 but hasn't gone past the fourth round since.
He hasn't played a Grand Slam tournament since his second-round exit at Melbourne Park last year.
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