Rafael Nadal set to return to competitive tennis in Brisbane next month
Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis player, announces his highly anticipated comeback from injury at the prestigious Brisbane International tournament in January Get ready to witness the triumphant return of this sporting icon!
Rafael Nadal, the renowned tennis player, has announced his eagerly anticipated comeback from injury at the Brisbane International in January. In a video shared across various social media platforms, Nadal expressed his excitement, stating, "After a year away from competition, it's time to come back. It will be in Brisbane the first week of January."
Nadal's last appearance was at the Australian Open in January. Despite being the defending champion and winning his 21st grand slam there in 2022, he struggled with a hip problem and was unexpectedly defeated in straight sets by American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. He was initially anticipated to return to competition later in the year, but he revealed during the clay court season that he would be absent from the Madrid and Rome Masters, as well as the French Open.
After having hip surgery in June, he was unable to participate in the rest of the season. Despite this, the 37-year-old has been sharing images and videos of himself on the court in recent weeks, indicating his preparation for a competitive comeback. The tennis community is eagerly waiting for the announcement of his return date.
Nadal received medical attention during the match against McDonald in January.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
The Brisbane International, an ATP 250 event that serves as a warmup for the Australian Open, will mark the beginning of what will likely be Nadals last year on Tour.
"In the coming year, I am determined to savor and bid farewell to the tournaments that have played a significant role in my tennis career, striving to find enjoyment in being competitive on the court, which is currently not feasible," he expressed at a press conference in May.
Additionally, there is strong anticipation for his comeback at the Australian Open, with tournament director and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley having confirmed Nadal's participation in the 2024 edition of the competition back in October, even before Nadal had officially declared his return.
Nadal, a 22-time grand slam champion, will need to utilize his injury-protected ranking or a wildcard entry to compete in tournaments, as he has dropped significantly in the rankings during his absence. Currently ranked No. 662 in the world, he fell out of the top ten for the first time in 17 years in March.
