Rafael Nadal confirms return: 'It's time to come back'
The 22-time major champion hasn't competed since last January, when he was felled by a hip injury that later required surgery and an extensive recovery.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal is back.
The 22-time major tennis champion announced Friday (1 December) that he would return to the world's stage in January at the Brisbane International, one of the warm-up events for the Australian Open.
It was at the AO a year ago that Nadal was hobbled by a hip injury, losing in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald and halting the Spaniard's season after just four matches. He underwent surgery and extensive physical therapy, unclear if he would be healthy enough to return.
"After a year away from competition, it's time to come back," Nadal said in Spanish in a video posted on his social media.
The 37-year-old has dropped to world No.663 in the rankings, but will receive special entry into Brisbane and in Melbourne, with the Australian Open set to get underway on 14 January.
Nadal won his second title in Australia in 2022 before going on to claim a record 14th Roland-Garros title in Paris later that season. He is eyeing an Olympic return at Paris 2024, with tennis set to be held on the grounds of the French Open and Nadal's beloved surface - clay.
He is a two-time Olympic medallist, capturing singles gold at Beijing 2008 and doubles gold alongside Marc Lopez at Rio 2016.