MADRID: , who said Friday that he would skip the 2013 Australian Open because of a stomach virus after six months out with a knee injury, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.

AFP Sports looks at the problems suffered by the former world number one Spaniard, the winner of 11 Grand Slam titles, including a record seven French Opens:

2003: Misses French Open with elbow injury.

2004: Misses French Open and is three months off tour with left ankle injury.

2006: Left foot injury suffered in November 2005 means Nadal only starts 2006 season in February.

2008: Tendinitis in his left knee forces Nadal to retire from Paris Masters in the quarter-finals. Withdraws from Masters Cup and Davis Cup final.

2009: As four-time defending French Open champion, Nadal’s 31-match winning run at Roland Garros ended by Robin Soderling in the fourth round. Withdraws from Queen’s and Wimbledon, where he was defending champion, with tendinitis in both knees. Out for nine weeks in total, loses world number one ranking to Roger Federer.

2010: Retires in quarter-final of Australian Open against Andy Murray with right knee injury. Off tour until Indian Wells in March.

2011: Loses in straight sets in Australian Open quarter-final to compatriot David Ferrer, complains of left adductor problem. Off tour for two months.

2012: Loses to world number 100 Lukas Rosol in Wimbledon second round on June 28. Tendinitis in left knee sees him miss Olympics, where he was defending champion, US Open, World Tour Finals and Davis Cup final. After six months out, cancels plans to play in Abu Dhabi exhibition. Pulls out of 2013 Australian Open because of stomach virus. – AFP