Tennis-Nadal to make tour return at Brisbane International

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Real Sociedad - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - September 17, 2023 Tennis player Rafael Nadal in the stands before the match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/ File photo

(Reuters) - Former tennis world number one Rafa Nadal will return at the Brisbane International warm up event for the Australian Open in January, the Spaniard said on Friday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since bowing out in the second round of this year's Australian Open when hampered by a hip flexor problem.