Nadal announces return to tennis at Brisbane International in January

The former world number one in tennis, Rafael Nadal, aged 37, has announced his comeback at the Brisbane International, a warm-up event preceding the Australian Open in January. This return follows a hiatus of one year from competitive play, marked by his last appearance at the Australian Open in early 2023, where he faced challenges due to a hip flexor issue. Initially anticipating an eight-week recovery, Nadal underwent surgery on a hip muscle in June, extending his absence.

In a social media video, Nadal conveyed his eagerness to return, specifying Brisbane as the venue for his comeback during the first week of January. Despite dropping out of the top 100 earlier in the season, he currently holds a world ranking of 633. Eligible for a protected ranking due to his extended absence, Nadal has expressed his intention to retire after the 2024 season, with injuries affecting his overall participation in recent years.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed Nadal's participation in the upcoming Grand Slam, scheduled from January 14th to 28th at Melbourne Park. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, expressed a desire to play one more French Open and represent Spain at the Paris Olympics in the upcoming year before concluding his 23rd season on the tour.

The Brisbane International, returning after a three-year hiatus initially caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place from December 31st to January 7th. Nadal's last Australian Open victory occurred in 2022, where he made history by overcoming Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the final, becoming the first man in the Open era to win after being two sets down.