Star tennis player Rafael Nadal will make his long-awaited return to competitive action after the injury with his appearance at Australian Open 2024, tournament director Craig Tiley announced on Wednesday.

The Spaniard, who has hinted that 2024 may be the final season of his career, has not played since his second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in January at the 2023 edition of the hard-court major in Melbourne.

“We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back. He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about. That’s awesome,” Tiley told Australia’s Nine Network.

The 37-year-old Nadal underwent surgery on his iliopsoas muscle in his left leg in June, but recently revealed he is hopeful of being competitive when he returns to action.

The 22-time major winner is a two-time Australian Open champion, having lifted the trophy at Melbourne Park, where he lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2022. Nadal claimed his most recent Slam at Roland Garros in 2022 and his competitor Novak Djokovic has since taken his leading men’s tally to 24.

Apart from Nadal, former champion Naomi Osaka will also make their grand slam tennis returns at the 2024 Australian Open. The 25-year-old Osaka, will return to the court after maternity leave, having given birth to daughter Shai in July.

According to tournament director Craig Tilley, the Japanese Olympian would be joined in the Australian Open women’s singles draw by fellow mothers Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber.

“We’ll welcome them – and their families – back to Melbourne with open arms and can’t wait to see what their next chapter brings,” said Tilley.

Notably, the Australian Open will become a 15-day event for the first time in 2024, in an attempt to reduce the number of late-night finishes at Melbourne Park.

At the 2023 tournament, Djokovic won a record-extending 10th title and Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam singles title.