Rafael Nadal will return to tennis for the first time in a year when he plays at the Brisbane International in the first week of January
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not played since a second-round defeat to American Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open at the start of 2023 when he was hampered by a hip injury.
Nadal confirmed on social media that his comeback will take place in Australia next month as he begins his final year on the ATP Tour.
In a video on X, the 37-year-old said: “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.”
The Brisbane International will help Nadal prepare for the Australian Open in Melbourne later in the month, a tournament he has won twice before, in 2009 and 2022.
Nadal came from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final and then went on to win the French Open for a record-extending 14th time later that year.
