Rafael Nadal has targeted a return to full fitness ahead of the Australian Open in January following an injury-plagued year.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner had to withdraw from last week's ATP World Tour Finals in order to undergo stem cell treatment to rectify an issue with his back.

Next month's World Tennis Championships event in Abu Dhabi offers Nadal the opportunity to return to the court, with the Australian Open also just around the corner.

"This year I had periods with problems in my back," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "I hope I will have had time enough to fix my back 100% again.

"Of course I won't be able to train fully immediately, but I would expect to have a month when I can practice 100% before my first big event."

Nadal will also compete in an ATP event in Doha in the New Year.