Rafael Nadal still not fully fit as he pulls out of Italian Open

Rafael Nadal has not played a match since the Australian Open (Andy Brownbill/AP)

Rafael Nadal’s hopes of defending his French Open crown suffered another blow with the news he has pulled out of next week’s Italian Open in Rome.

The tournament is the last big event before the tennis tour moves to Roland Garros at the end of May but Nadal is still not in good enough shape to compete following the hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open.