Brisbane
International will take place from December 31 to January 7 and will feature a
star-studded main draw in both the men's and women's categories. All eyes are
on the return of Rafael Nadal to the Tour after nearly a year away, marking his
only tournament before the 2024 Australian Open. The Spanish player shares the
draw with competitors such as Holger Rune (world No. 8), Grigor Dimitrov (No.
14), and Ben Shelton (No. 17).
While the
men's side is an ATP 250 event, the women's category is a WTA 500. The top
stars include world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Elena Rybakina.
Unfortunately, the tournament recently experienced the withdrawals of Madison
Keys (12th) and Karolina Muchova (8th) due to injuries (with Czech athlete also
ruled out of the Aussie Open).
In a
similar fashion to Nadal on the men's side, 4-times Grand Slam champion and
former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka will make a stellar return in Brisbane, marking
her comeback to the WTA Tour after 14 months, following her pregnancy and the
subsequent birth of her daughter. The tournament will also feature several
other former Grand Slam champions, including Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria
Azarenka, Sofia Kenin, and Sloane Stephens.
*Balkans:Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
*BalticsEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
*France:France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Martinique, Monaco, New Caledonia, Reunion and Mayotte, Saint-Bathelemy, Saint-Martin and Saint Pierre et Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna.
*Eastern Europe:Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Latin America*:Argentina; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Bahamas, The; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Bolivia; Brazil; British Virgin Is.; Cayman Islands; Dominica; Dominican Republic; French Guiana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; Martinique; Montserrat; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Saint Kitts & Nevis; Saint Lucia; Suriname; Turks & Caicos Is; Trinidad & Tobago
United States*:Includes Puerto Rico; Virgin Islands
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.