World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's Thailand Open due to an abdominal injury, organizers said on Monday.

The Spaniard will stay in Spain to receive treatment for what his doctor said was an acute rupture of an abdominal muscle instead of playing at the 608,500-U.S.-dollar tournament in Bangkok.

Nadal said that the injury contributed to his U.S. Open semifinal defeat by Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Sept. 13. He is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2009)