Rafael Nadal has confirmed he’ll return to aggressive tennis on the Brisbane Worldwide after virtually a 12 months out with harm.
The previous world primary, 37, has been out of motion since injuring his hip flexor in a second-round defeat at January’s Australian Open.
He has beforehand mentioned he plans to retire on the finish of the 2024 season.
“After a 12 months away from competitors, it is time to come again,” the Spaniard mentioned in a video posted on social media.
“It is going to be in Brisbane, the primary week of January. I will see you there.”
The Brisbane Worldwide will assist Nadal put together for the Australian Open – the primary main of the 12 months – which Nadal gained in 2009 and 2022.
Final month, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley mentioned Nadal could be collaborating within the match, though the participant is but to verify this.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since his defeat by Mackenzie McDonald in Melbourne and underwent surgical procedure in June.
When he introduced he would miss the French Open for the primary time in 19 years – the match the place he has gained 14 of his majors – Nadal mentioned 2024 will “most likely” be the final 12 months of his profession.
On the time Nadal was joint with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic for the joint document variety of males’s main triumphs, however Djokovic has since gained the French Open and US Open to maneuver to 24 Grand Slam titles.
Nadal has dropped to quantity 633 on this planet rankings however he’s nonetheless eligible for a protected rating having been injured and never competing in any occasion for a minimum of six months.
The Brisbane Worldwide is returning after a three-year hiatus compelled by the Covid-19 pandemic and can happen between 31 December and seven January.
The Australian Open begins on 14 January.