Rafael Nadal's practice cut short

Rain rain, go away, come back in February!!!

World No.1 Rafael Nadal made a decidedly low-key start to a low profile preparation for his "Rafa Slam" bid at the Australian Open.

The Spaniard, having shrugged off a bout of flu which contributed to a shock Qatar Open semi-final loss, found the weather against him on arrival in Melbourne, with rain set to continue this week.

Nadal opted not to enter this week's Kooyong Classic or any of the other Australian-based tournaments leading into the Open next week, where he'll attempt to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam trophies at once.

Slippery conditions forced the 2009 Australian Open winner to cut short his first practice session on a rain-soaked Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.

And he was believed to have decided against having another hit later in the day under the closed roof at Rod Laver Arena.

Before arriving in Melbourne on Monday night the 24-year-old spent two days resting in Doha to get over the flu which affected him in his defeat by Nikolay Davydenko there.

Other leading players to have a training hit in Melbourne on Tuesday included Americans Andy Roddick and Venus Williams, Belgium's Justine Henin and Scot Andy Murray.

Nadal's great rival, world No.2 Federer, was in dazzling form at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday as the Swiss star prepared for his Australian Open title defence.

Looking relaxed in a white t-shirt and yellow headband, Federer glided around the court in trademark fashion, spanking winners to both sides of the court.

Courtesy: Yahoo