22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has arrived in Australia to participate in the Brisbane International beginning on December 31.
The Spaniard endured arguably the most challenging season of his career over the past 12 months, defeated in the second of the Australian Open where he realised hip surgery was required to save his career.
Since then, the former world number one has not featured on the court which involved having to make the heartbreaking decision to pull out of the French Open where he has lifted the trophy 14 times.
Although Nadal has yet to win a title in Brisbane, the main focus will be to construct some much-needed rhythm and match fitness to best prepare for the year's first major.
Training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Kuwait recently in an attempt to be ready for the 2024 season, Nadal reached out to his fans on socials earlier this month to confirm his entry into the tournament in Queensland. “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,” Nadal wrote on his official social media accounts. This may well be the final calendar year that the 2-time Australian Open champion is travelling around the tour, with retirement edging closer to reality.
The 36-year-old confessed back in September that although next year is likely to be his final season, there are no certainties attached. "I said that possibly 2024 will be my last year,"
Nadal told Spanish newspaper AS Dario. "I stand by that, but I can't confirm it 100 per cent. I think there's a good chance that it will be, because I know how my body is but how I'll be in four months, I don't know.
"I'm not sure what I'll be doing in 2024, because it will change completely depending on what my objectives are. If I don't recover, that's one thing, if I can compete at a level that excites me, that's another."
Despite sitting at a lowly 670 in the live rankings, the protected ranking system will provide Nadal with a safety blanket as a result of not playing any tennis for over six months whilst injured.
After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Brisbane International returns with nine Grand Slam singles champions in action, including Nadal, who are set to compete from 31 December and 7 January. The Australian Open commences on 14 January at Melbourne Park.