Rafael Nadal’s highly-anticipated comeback has officially been confirmed. The Spaniard will return for the start of the 2024 season at the Brisbane International, one of the warm-up events for the Australian Open. Nadal has not played a match since the 2023 Aussie Open, where he injured his left psoas and later shut down his season.
After spending a year on the sidelines, Nadal took to social media to announce that he would be competing at the ATP 250 event in the first week of January. The Spaniard shared an emotional video charting his injury journey before confirming his return.
“After a year away from competition, it’s time to come back. It will be in Brisbane the first week of January. I’ll see you there,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said. Nadal is expected to use the warm-up event to test his level in competitive matches before making a final decision on competing in the Australian Open.
The announcement comes two weeks after the 37-year-old confirmed that he would be able to return to competition following months of uncertainty. During an appearance at the Clinica del Tenis last month, Nadal explained: “I sincerely believe that I will return to play. I can’t say at what level I’ll be able to return, but I’ve never lost the desire to play and now it seems that things are going in the right direction.”
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news.
And his comeback plans are now concrete, with the Brisbane International taking place from December 31 to January 7. It’s been a difficult year for the former world No 1, who showed the highs and lows in his announcement. The video includes the moment that Nadal injured his psoas in Melbourne during his second-round Australian Open defeat.
The 37-year-old had hoped to return on the clay but failed to recover and called a press conference at his Mallorcan academy to announce that he was shutting down his season. At the time, he also admitted that 2024 could be his final year on tour and explained that he wanted to retire on his own terms.
In the video flashback, Nadal can be heard saying: “I don’t think I deserve to end like this. I believe I have worked hard all my sport life so that my end isn’t here at a press conference.” Alongside footage of his rehabilitation process, the Spaniard adds: “I am going to work hard to finish my career in the right way.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
