Rafael Nadal's official return to tennis will take place in doubles this January 31 in Brisbane: here are all the details
ATP
Rafael Nadal will return to competition at the Brisbane International. In singles he will do it against a qualifier on January 2, but he will return before in doubles, as the Spanish tennis player will participate in the first round along with Marc Lopez, his partner of the Olympic gold medal in 2016.
Lopez, 41, joined Nadal's coaching staff in 2021 and will now partner him in this tournament. The pair will face the Australian combination of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in the final scheduled match at the Pat Rafter Arena.
Read also
This will be Nadal's first doubles match since playing with Roger Federer in the Laver Cup in 2022.
On the opening day at the Pat Rafter Arena, Australia's Arina Rodionova will play Italy's Martina Trevisan, who was among the top 20 in the world in 2023.
Sloane Stephens, former world No. 3 and 2017 U.S. Open champion, will face Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, an Olympic gold medalist in doubles.
On center court, there will be a duel between two Australian players, Alexei Popyrin and Chris O'Connell, both of whom have reached their highest ranking in their careers.
In addition to Nadal, other notable names such as Andy Murray, Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov, Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton will also start their campaigns at the Brisbane International.
Read also
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
