Rafael Nadal set to play in Qatar Open after hip injury

Nadal, 37, returned from a year-long absence at the Brisbane International but then opted to return to his native Spain rather than compete in Melbourne.

The Qatar Open is due to take place between 19 and 24 February.

Also set to play in the ATP 250 event are Andy Murray, reigning champion Daniil Medvedev and world number five Andrey Rublev.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, won his first two matches in Brisbane in straight sets but then suffered the injury in his quarter-final loss to Jordan Thompson.

He said a scan had shown a micro tear on a muscle but not in the same area as his previous long-term hip injury.

He said in May, after being forced to miss the French Open for the first time in 19 years, that 2024 would “probably” be the final year of his career, meaning he may have already played his last Australian Open, a tournament he has won twice. – bbc.com