Rafael Nadal begins first singles match in almost a yearSpain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his men's singles match against Austria's Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 2, 2024. BRISBANE – Rafael Nadal began his first singles match in almost a year at the Brisbane International Tuesday against Dominic Thiem, kick-starting what could be the Spaniard's farewell season. The 37-year-old has not played singles since a second-round loss at the Australian Open last year, undergoing two rounds of hip surgery. However, the Austrian has won their past two encounters at the ATP Tour Finals in 2020 and the Australian Open the same year. Nadal won both his opening service games to love against former US Open champion Thiem.

Source: Philippine Star January 02, 2024 18:12 UTC