Returning hero Rafael Nadal is the toast of Brisbane ahead of ATP Tour comeback

The city of Brisbane has rolled out the red carpet for Rafael Nadal, who practised at the Pat Rafter Arena with a smile plastered across his dial.

Nadal is clearly delighted to be back on tour and experiencing those underappreciated moments in between the Grand Slams.

The Spaniard is one of the marquee players in a stellar line-up at this year’s Brisbane International, which is being staged for the first time since 2020.

To celebrate the return of the Brisbane International, Nadal is taking part in a special event in the city on Friday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will make an appearance at the city’s Queen Street Mall stage, providing fans with the chance to see him up close and personal ahead of his opening-round match which marks his return to the ATP Tour.

The Spanish superstar, who landed in Australia late on Wednesday evening, is preparing to contest his first tournament in almost 12 months and is hoping for a massive year.

The 2024 Brisbane International field includes 10 Grand Slam singles champions, six former world No 1s and 10 current top-20 players across the men’s and women’s events which both get underway in earnest on Sunday following qualifying this weekend.

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After a hip injury curtailed his 2023 season, Nadal’s ranking has dipped to world No 672 but tournament organisers were only too happy to furnish the 22-time Major winner with a wildcard entry.

In his lone previous appearance at the Brisbane International in 2017, Nadal won twice to reach the last eight before crashing out following a three-set battle with Milos Raonic.

Though Nadal fell short in the last eight match seven years ago, he still managed to put on a show for the crowd that turned up to the Pat Rafter Arena.

Notably, a dramatic three-shot pass brought Brisbane to its feet as the Spaniard went into overdrive to find a way beyond his on-form Canadian opponent at the net.

Two-time former Brisbane International champion Andy Murray also returns to the event in 2024 and with both the Brit and Nadal unseeded the two former Major winners could meet very early in the season opener.

The draw for the Brisbane International is set to take place this weekend with all the focus on who Nadal will face to start his comeback.

Rising Australian stars Aleksandar Vukic and Rinky Hijikata have also been handed wildcards for the event.

This completes the intriguing lineup of Australian players in the men’s singles main draw, which also includes Jordan Thompson, Alexei Popyrin, and Max Purcell.

In 2023, Vukic had a career-best season, breaking into the top 50 after starting the year outside the world’s top 200. The 27-year-old reached his first ATP singles final in Atlanta and peaked at No 48 on the rankings.

The world No 62 is keen to build on his incredible season in front of Australian spectators as he makes his tournament debut in Brisbane.

“There’s nothing like the Aussie support,” Vukic said.

“I’ve never had the chance to play up here, but I’ve heard a lot of great things from all the players, especially the Aussies,” Hijikata said.

“I’ve heard the atmosphere is great, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing that myself.”

ALSO WATCH: Smiling Rafael Nadal arrives in Brisbane as Carlos Alcaraz and co share their views about his return