Rafa Nadal returns to Brisbane to open 2018 season

ByReuters

Updated 20/08/2017 at 12:17 GMT

Rafa Nadal, who will return to the top of the world rankings for the first time in three years on Monday, announced on Sunday that he would be opening his 18th season as a professional at the Brisbane International in January.

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio.

Image credit: Getty Images

The 31-year-old was beaten in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open warm-up by Milos Raonic on debut this year before going on to lose the final to Roger Federer at Melbourne Park.

[WATCH THE US OPEN LIVE ON EUROSPORT AND EUROSPORT PLAYER]

Nadal, who lost to Australian Nick Kyrgios in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open on Saturday, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of the Queensland Tennis Centre.

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"Last year for me was the first experience and was very successful," he said. "The atmosphere is great and there's a lot of nice people supporting the event."

The Brisbane International runs from New Year's Eve to Jan 7 next year.

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