Auckland, Jan 11 NZPA - Auckland's Heineken Open tennis has lost its biggest drawcard with the withdrawal of Argentinian ace David Nalbandian.

The former world number three suffered a light abdominal strain in warm-ups and has had to pull out of what was going to be his first tournament in eight months.

Nalbandian hadn't played on the ATP tour since May, when he underwent surgery on his right hip.

"I am very disappointed not to be able to make my comeback this week at the Heineken Open. I was very much looking forward into playing in Auckland once again," Nalbandian said.

"I didn't play much tennis for eight months so it is natural to suffer some small injuries. Although I am disappointed at the moment, I remain confident and positive about making a full time come back to the tour soon.

"I thank tournament director Richard Palmer for giving me the wild card and the opportunity to resume my career and I hope to come back next year and play in front of the kiwi crowd."

Nalbandian's withdrawl is a blow for the tournament, particularly as his match against former Heineken Open champion Philipp Kohlschreiber looked set to be the biggest match of the first round.

"I'm disappointed, but what can you do," Palmer said.

"It's not the first time this has happened to me in a tournament, and if I keep doing this it will happen again."

A ultrasound scan at a radiology practice confirmed Nalbandian's injury and it puts his participation in the Australian Open in doubt.

"These usually take 10 to 15 days to come right," Palmer said.

Nalbandian's place in the draw will be taken by world number 235 Inigo Cervantes-Huegin of Spain.

He was the highest-ranked of the qualifying field who didn't make it into the tournament but he got in after his name was drawn at random from the quartet who lost in the last round of qualifying.

NZPA