MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal has confirmed he is ready to return to competitive tennis at the end of the month in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, following a six-month break to recover from a knee injury.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion said on his Facebook page Tuesday that he “can’t wait to get back on court in Abu Dhabi,” and that he “would love to get my hands on the trophy again this year!”
The 26-year-old Nadal began practicing on a court in his hometown of Manacor on the Balearic island of Mallorca on Nov. 20 under the supervision of his uncle and coach Tony Nadal and a physiotherapist.
The Abu Dhabi tournament starts Dec. 27 and will feature a six-man field that also includes top-ranked Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain.
