Rafael Nadal: In January, Brisbane International Will Welcome Back Him
After being sidelined by injury for over a year, Rafael Nadal has announced that he will play tennis competitively again at Brisbane International.
Since hurting his hip flexor during a second-round loss at the Australian Open in January, the 37-year-old former world number one has been sidelined.
He has declared in the past that he will step down at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.
In a social media video, the Spaniard declared,
“It’s time to return to contest after a year away. It will take place in Brisbane during the first week of January. I hope to see you there.”
As the first grand of the year and the tournament that Rafael Nadal won in 2009 and 2022, the Brisbane International will assist Nadal get ready for it. Although Nadal has not officially confirmed his participation, Australian Open chairman Craig Tiley announced last month that he will be taking part in the competition.
After being defeated in Melbourne by Mackenzie McDonald, the 22-time Grand Slam winner has been sidelined and had surgery in June.
2024 will “probably” be Rafael Nadal’s final year of competition, he stated, after he declared he will skip the French Open for the first time in 19 years—the competition in which he has won 14 majors.
While Djokovic of Serbia has since won the US Open and French Open to increase his record to 24 Grand Slam victories, Rafael Nadal held the record for the most men’s major victories at the time.
Despite dropping to number 633 in the world rankings, Nadal is still qualified for a protected status because he hasn’t competed in any tournament for at least six months due to an injury.
Returning on December 31 and January 7, the Brisbane International will resume following a three-year break brought on by the Covid-19 epidemic.
