Nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal will start his 2017 season at the Brisbane International for the first time in his career.
The 30-year-old has opted to break with tradition after participating at the Qatar Open in seven out of the past eight years. Nadal has reached the final in Doha three times since 2010 and won the title in 2014. Despite his previous success in the Middle East, Nadal has decided to take a new route in his schedule.
“It’s going to be the first time in my career that I’m going to play in Australia the first week of the season and I’m really excited about it,” Nadal said in a statement.
“I think this is something I have to do during my career and I think at the same time it’s going to be a great preparation to be in Australia early. Everybody who has been in Brisbane has told me very beautiful things about the tournament and the place so I want to try it.”
Brisbane gives Nadal a chance to win only his second title in Australia and his first since the 2009 Australian Open. He could also become the first Spanish male in history to win the tournament.
The Brisbane International hosts both men’s and women’s events at the Queensland Tennis Centre. It is currently categories as an ATP 250 event. In this year’s tournament, Milos Raonic upset Roger Federer in straight sets to win the tournament.
It is currently unknown as to which other players will be joining Nadal in the January event. Previous participants have included Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
