Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Brisbane International due to a thigh injury.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