Rafael Nadal will return at the Brisbane International warm up event for the Australian Open in January, the Spaniard said on Friday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since bowing out in the second round of this year’s Australian Open when hampered by a hip flexor problem.
Rafa was initially expected to miss just eight weeks but underwent surgery on a hip muscle in June.
“After a year away from competition, it’s time to come back,” Rafa, who won the Australian Open in 2009 and 2022, said in a video posted to social media.
“It will be in Brisbane, the first week of January. I’ll see you there.”
Last month, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed that Rafa would be participating in the year’s first Grand Slam.
Rafa has said he expects to retire after the 2024 season, with a series of injuries limiting his appearances on Tour.
He dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years earlier in the season and has slipped to number 633 in the world but is eligible for a protected ranking having been injured and not competing in any event for at least six months.
Rafa has previously expressed a desire to play one more French Open and represent Spain at the Paris Olympics next year before retiring at the end of his 23rd season on the tour.
The Brisbane tournament, which is returning after a three-year hiatus forced initially by the COVID pandemic, will run from Dec. 31 to Jan. 7.
The Australian Open takes place at Melbourne Park from Jan. 14-28.
Rafa’s last Australian Open victory came in 2022 when he beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and became the first man in the Open era to come back from two sets down in the final to win.
Source: Reuters
All the best to Rafa ❤️
So happy to hear this❤️
Good luck Rafa! Stay healthy!
Why he is not choosing Sydney, that he won in 2022 before his historic win?
The “warm up” 2022 tournament before the AO 2022 win was in Melbourne, a 250 event played on the very same courts as the AO. Called the ‘summer set’.
I do think Sydney is a weird choice before the AO, though.
Rafa playing on the same courts in Melbourne a week and a bit from the AO certainly helped him win it but who are we to question why and where Rafa does anything. It’s all supposition really.
Rafa plus his team knows what they’re doing. Sydney before Melbourne, fine.
Do’h. Palm slap against forehead! Total brain fart, plus a few light libations. I meant Brisbane as Rafa’s comeback, not Sydney.
Those Brisbanites that get tickets… bucket list… tick. So jealous.
Fingers and toes crossed!
Miss you………..much. Vamos, Rafa❤️🔥
AI just told me to prepare for Nadal’s injury before AO 2024. Why would it be different than when he was much healthier and younger. The initial excitement will give way to harsh reality. To win now means to retire.
Wow. Harsh. I’m still not exactly sure what you’re implying? Some Artificial Intelligence deveining the future?
Said it like 20 times. Rafa is capable of beating any player on any surface. I’ll add, even being unhealthy and not young.
This is a Rafa Love fan site. I’m not counting him out. Not a chance! Rafa forever!!!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion though, you think immediate retirement, I don’t.
He has the power!
Actually Rafa’s last victory at the AO was against his 2023 first round opponent, J Draper. He was injured and lost in the second round.
Go Rafa!!!
That is fantastic news . He’s been so missed . Can’t wait to see him . He’s the only one I follow ….. the goat king of clay ❤️
Good luck.
This is going to be unbelievably fantastic.
Hair behind right ear, hair behind left ear, tug at shorts, pinch nose. Repeat.
I’ve missed that.