The 2024 season is set to start in a few weeks. Players will assemble in Australia to begin their season down under. There will be five events before the Australian Open. The players will have plenty of time to get used to the hardcourts. Fans are excited for the Brisbane International as Rafael Nadal has confirmed his return to the event. The main draw matches will begin on December 31 and end on January 7.
Before entering the courts in Brisbane, Nadal will interact with the koala bears. Players take pictures of hugging koala bears, as it has been a custom in Australia. Players such as Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, and Nadal have enjoyed a warm hug from the koala bears. During the 2015 Hopman Cup, Serena Williams spent time with the koala bears in the zoo.
Koala bear hug: Serena Williams makes friends with Sunshine. pic.twitter.com/pxXPE6FcQK
— Tennis (@tennis_photos) January 4, 2015
“@rogerfederer: Koala bear hug pic.twitter.com/DjUTLEnuVC” * . * this is why he s my favourite tennis player:’)
— chiara (@InAnselsArms) January 19, 2014
Hugging koala bears is illegal in most parts of Australia except Queensland and South and West Australia. Players visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane during events in Australia. In a few more weeks, the players will gear up for the 12th edition of the Brisbane International. The ATP 250 event will announce the main draw of the players in the next few days.
Brisbane International makes a comeback at the ATP tour
The Brisbane International is returning to the ATP calendar after a four-year absence. The previous edition was held in 2019 when Kei Nishikori defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final. There have been 10 different winners in the event’s history, as Andy Murray is the only one to have won the event twice. This year, Nadal will play at the venue for the first time since 2017.
The former world No. 1 had reached the quarterfinals in 2017 in Brisbane. Nadal defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov and Mischa Zverev in straight sets to reach the last eight. He lost to Milos Raonic in three sets, and this time, he will face much tougher competition. Players such as Holger Rune, Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov, and Murray have reportedly confirmed their presence in Brisbane.
🇦🇺 The full ATP 250 Brisbane field, including the return of World #664 Rafael Nadal 🇪🇸👇 pic.twitter.com/fQreLHgYh9
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) December 6, 2023
The 37-year-old is only one victory away from overtaking Ivan Lendl in terms of career victories. Nadal currently has 1068 wins and might reach the milestone in Brisbane. It won’t be the first time that history will be made in Brisbane, as Federer secured his 1000th career victory in the 2015 final against Raonic. This time, it can be Nadal who can start the 2024 season with a resounding win.