Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Brisbane International due to a thigh injury.

The 17-time grand slam champion was due to start his season with a second-round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga but pulled out of the tournament on Wednesday.

Nadal revealed he wanted to compete but was advised not to by doctors after suffering a small strain of his left thigh.

"I did an MRI and it shows a small staring on my left thigh," he said. "I tried to play, I wanted to play, but recommendations from the doctors [were otherwise]."

The world number two has not played a competitive match since retiring from his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro due to a knee injury and withdrew from the Mubadala Championship in Abu Dhabi last week following an exhibition defeat to Kevin Anderson.

Nadal also underwent ankle surgery in November and stated ahead of what was due to be his comeback in Brisbane that looking after his body is more important than returning to the top of the rankings.

The Spaniard is taking no risks with his latest minor setback with the Australian Open fast approaching.

The 32-year-old added: "It's a small thing that can become a much bigger. When you compete, the intensity on the muscle can [make it] worse.

"I feel better than I did four days ago. It's a risk to damage my body for one month if I play here."

Lucky loser Taro Daniel will face Tsonga in the absence of Nadal.