Rafael Nadal will return to official competition after a one-year break. The Iberian has reached No. 672 in the ATP rankings due to medical problems and says ahead of his ATP debut in Brisbane that he does not yet feel ready to win titles.

>> Carlos Alcaraz and the 2024 goal is more important than a Grand Slam title

His fans expect Nadal to immediately win tournaments, the Spaniard contradicts them

Nadal played his last official match at the Australian Open earlier this year when he lost to Mackenzie Macdonald in the second round.

Rafa has since missed the entire season with a hip problem and underwent surgery in June this year.

Although Novak Djokovic, one of his biggest rivals in his career, has said that Rafa will return to win major titles, the Spaniard believes that he is not ready to win ATP titles at the moment.

“Today it is impossible to think that I will win tournaments. Better enjoy your return. I don’t expect much after being out for a year.

I don’t know how things will go on. I’m not the type of player who tries to predict what might happen in the short term, and it’s even more difficult in the medium term.

You have to come to terms with difficulties and the fact that everything will not be perfect, just have the right mood every day” – Rafael Nadalfor the Australian Associated Press.

The tournament in Brisbane, where Nadal will return to the court, will be held from December 31 to January 7. It is part of the ATP 250 category, has a total prize pool of US$739,945, and there will be 32 players in the main singles at the start, with Kei Nishikori (in 2019) as the defending champion.

Australian Open 2024 will be held from January 14 to 28 in Melbourne.

What you need to know about Rafael Nadal

• At the age of 37, the Iberian won 1,068 career victories and lost 220 times.

• He has 92 ATP titles won over a period of time, and 22 of them are Grand Slam tournaments (two titles behind record holder Novak Djokovic).

• He collected $134,640,719 in tennis prizes alone.