In a much-anticipated return to competitive tennis, Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed his participation in the upcoming Brisbane International in Australia. The Spanish tennis maestro, aged 37, expressed his excitement for the comeback after a year-long hiatus due to an injury. Nadal will compete in the tournament in January 2024.
Nadal shared the news in a video posted on social media, saying, "After a year of not competing, it is time to come back. It will be in Brisbane in the first week of January. See you there."
The announcement from Nadal confirms his first appearance on the tennis court since January 2023. Notably, Nadal has been forced to be away from the tennis court due to an injury to his hip flexor which he sustained during his second-round defeat to Australian Open.
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After the season's first Grand Slam, Nadal had initially hoped that he could be back in time for French Open, a tournament where he has absolutely dominated with 14 titles in the clay court major, over a week before the start of the Roland Garros, he announced that he would be missing the competition and was not sure about his potential return.
Meanwhile, the Spaniard had hinted that the 2024 season will be his final season in competitve tennis. Given that he stands two behind Novak Djokovic who holds the record for most Grand slam men's singles titles with 24 triumphs, will be looking to add to his already enviable tally.
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"You never know how things will turn out," Nadal had previously said at a press conference. "But my intention is that next year will be my last year," he had clearly revealed.