Long-awaited Nadal injury return set for Brisbane

Rafael Nadal on Friday cemented his injury return after nearly a full season away, with the Spaniard’s camp announcing he will compete at the ATP Brisbane event starting on New Year’s Eve.

The Queensland date will be the first for the 22-time Grand Slam champion since losing on January 18 in the Australian Open second round.

At the time, the 37-year-old was botched by an abdominal muscle complaint which was to have taken a month or two to heal.

But his absence stretched throughout 2023 with physical setbacks in his recovery blamed.

Nadal played the pre-Australian Open Brisbane event in 2917, reaching the quarter-finals.

“Hello everyone. After a year away from the competition, the time has come to return,” Nadal posted on social media.

“It will be in Brisbane, it will be in the first week of January. See you there.” 

Nadal is due to train for 15 days this month at his tennis academy branch in Kuwait before darting back to his home island of Mallorca before then flying to Brisbane immediately after the holiday.

Main photo:- Injured Rafa Nadal loses second round match in Australian Open 2023 Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd