Rafael Nadal confirms comeback date after a year away from action: 'It will be in...'

Add as a preferred source on Google

Former world number one Rafael Nadal will return to playing at the Brisbane International in Australia in January, the 22-time Grand Slam champion said on Friday.

The 37-year-old has been completely out of action since crashing out of the Australian Open 2023 following his defeat to USA's Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. He hurt his hip flexor during the second round defeat.

“Hello everyone, after a year away from the competition, it’s time to come back. It will be in Brisbane in the first week of January. I’ll see you there,” Nadal was quoted as saying.

“I don’t think I deserve to end like this. I believe I have worked hard all my sports life. So, that my end isn’t here at a press conference. I am going to finish my career in the right way,” Nadal added.

The 37-year-old Spaniard has not played on tour since last January, when he hurt his hip flexor during a loss in the second round of the Australian Open.

In May, a little more than a week before the start of the French Open, Nadal announced that he would miss the tournament he's won a record 14 times and wasn't exactly sure when he might return to play.

In June, the winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles dropped out of the top 100 of the rankings for the first time in 20 years after dropping 2000 ATP points due to his withdrawal from Roland Garros, a title he has won a record 14 times.

Although Rafael Nadal did not talk about his participation in the Australian Open 2024, he can be expected to take part in the tournament which will give him a perfect warm-up opportunity.