The Argentine, who ended last year by winning back-to-back Masters Series titles in Madrid and Paris, suffered back spasms during a practice session at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.

Nalbandian will have an MRI scan on the injury later in the day but has been told to rest for at least three days, leaving him just a couple of days to prepare for the first Grand Slam event of the year. “I think I am going to be OK, but you never know,” Nalbandian said.

“I had what they say is a distension in the back. I have four, five days to go. I will try to hit on Saturday for 30-40 minutes and see how it is.”

Nalbandian was considered one of the favourites for the title at Melbourne Park, having ended the season on a high with his back-to-back Masters Series wins. The world number nine was practising with former number one Marat Safin of Russia when he first felt pain.