Everything you need to know about champion comebacks at Brisbane International, including Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka.
Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal are all set to make their returns at the next Brisbane International. The ATP 250 events’ drawings were released on Saturday, December 30, and both of the previous Grand Slam winners are represented there.
Nadal, who used a wildcard to enter the competition, will face an unfortunate loser or qualifier in the Round of 32. If he prevails, he will play the victor of the second-round match between Aslan Karatsev of Russia and Jason Kubler of Australia.
Nadal is aiming for his 93rd tour-level victory. He hasn’t played any tennis since his second-round exit at the Australian Open in 2023. In June, the veteran fell out of the top 100 for the first time in his 20-year career.
In the opening round, Australia’s Max Purcell will take on top seed Holger Rune. It’s anticipated that Andy Murray vs. Grigor Dimitrov will be a fantastic encounter. Ben Shelton, who gained notoriety at the 2023 US Open, will face Roman Safiullin of Russia.
Mother Naomi Osaka is scheduled to return.
Osaka will face Tamara Korpatsch, ranked 84th in the world, in the Round of 64 match. Osaka, who gave birth to her daughter Shai earlier this year, is playing tennis again. She hasn’t played since September 2022.
Four Grand Slam singles titles have been won by the 26-year-old, who stated that she wishes to be an example for her daughter.
One of my biggest goals and the main reasons I want to come back here is to prove to Shai that she is capable of anything, Osaka stated.
The women’s draw saw the following players receive first round byes: Aryna Sabalenka, Magda Linette, Zhu Lin, Daria Kasatkina, Jelena Ostapenko, Karolina Pliskova, Anhelina Kalinana, Victoria Azarenka, Anastasia Potapova, Veronika Kudermetova, Luidmila Samsonova, Sorana Cirstea, Sofia Kenin, Elese Mertens, and Elena Rybakina.
