Rafael Nadal's comeback trail begins with Brisbane tournament

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, is gearing up for a long-awaited return to the court after nearly a year out due to hip surgery post the 2023 Australian Open. 

His comeback journey kicks off at the Brisbane International with a favourable draw against a qualifier in the opening round.

The 37-year-old Spaniard's absence from the sport led to speculations that his professional career might be over. However, Nadal's relentless determination paved his way back into competitive tennis, earning him a wildcard entry into the Brisbane International as a prelude to the upcoming Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.

Scheduled to play either Sunday or Monday, Nadal's return match awaits confirmation with the order of play yet to be disclosed. Meanwhile, Britain's Andy Murray, a former two-time Brisbane International champion, sets the stage for an engaging first-round encounter against the second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, whom he previously defeated in the 2013 final.

On the women's side, the anticipation builds as four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka prepares for her much-awaited comeback. Osaka, who welcomed her daughter in July and confronted mental health challenges earlier, will face Germany's Tamara Korpatsch, ranked 84th globally, in her opening match. A victory would set up a compelling second-round clash against three-time Brisbane champion Karolina Pliskova.