Rafael Nadal, the former world number one in tennis, is set to make a comeback at the Brisbane International ahead of the Australian Open in January.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played since an injury-troubled exit from this year’s Australian Open. Despite initially planning an eight-week recovery, Nadal underwent hip muscle surgery in June.
Expressing eagerness to return after a year away from competition, Nadal confirmed his participation in Brisbane via a social media video. His presence was also confirmed by the Australian Open tournament director, Craig Tiley, for the upcoming Grand Slam event.
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Nadal’s career has been marred by injuries, leading him to contemplate retiring after the 2024 season. Despite dropping to 633rd in the world rankings due to limited appearances, he retains eligibility for a protected ranking after being out of competition for six months due to injury.
His goals include participating in the French Open and representing Spain in the Paris Olympics before concluding his 23rd season on the tour.
The Brisbane tournament will run from Dec. 31 to Jan. 7, while the Australian Open is scheduled for Jan. 14-28. Nadal’s last Australian Open victory was in 2022, where he staged a historic comeback against Daniil Medvedev in the final.
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