Rafael Nadal, after a year-long hiatus from competitive tennis, is set to make a triumphant return at the Brisbane International in January, marking the beginning of his final year on the ATP Tour.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, sidelined since a second-round loss at the Australian Open in 2023 due to a nagging hip injury, has confirmed his comeback through a social media announcement.
In a video message, the 37-year-old Spaniard expressed his eagerness, stating, “After a year away from competition, it’s time to come back. It will be in Brisbane, the first week of January. I’ll see you there .” Nadal’s return to the court adds an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming tennis season, with Sky Sports securing a new five-year deal to broadcast ATP and WTA events, featuring stars like Rafa, Novak Djokovic, and Iga Swiatek.
The Brisbane International not only marks Nadal’s comeback but also serves as a crucial preparatory ground for the Australian Open in Melbourne later in the month.
Having triumphed in Melbourne twice before, in 2009 and 2022, Rafa aims to build on his remarkable 2022 achievements, where he overcame a two-set deficit to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final and clinched a record-extending 14th French Open title later that year.
