Rafael Nadal returns in style with brilliant victory over Dominic Thiem at Brisbane International

Rafael Nadal won on his highly-anticipated return to competitive tennis with an impressive straight sets victory over Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Brisbane International.

The Spaniard had been out of action for almost a year with a hip injury that required surgery before taking to the court in Australia. Anticipation could hardly have been greater, and Nadal wasted little time unloading some trademark forehands to the delight of the packed-out grandstands.

It was a high-quality match between two Grand Slam champions, but it was Nadal who proved too strong, clinching a tight opening set before wrapping up a 7-5 6-1 victory.

“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career without a doubt,” Nadal said on court.

“To have the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play, I think at a very positive level, is something that will make us feel proud.”

If there were any worries about how Nadal would fare on his latest comeback from injury, they were quickly eased.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion last played competitively when he was eliminated in the second round of last year’s Australian Open before undergoing hip surgery that left him sidelined for the majority of 2023.

A forehand winner onto the baseline in the first point was the perfect way to announce his return to the big stage.

But it was a first set in which Thiem was a constant threat. The Austrian, who himself has faced his own recent battles with injury, was rock solid behind his serve in the opener.

The first 11 games didn’t feature a single break point until the Spaniard picked his moment to pounce.

Nadal opened up 0-30 on Thiem’s serve for the first time and eventually snatched the set at the fourth time of asking.

That appeared to break the resistance of the Austrian as Nadal broke early in the second and cruised to victory from there.

Another break in the sixth game made it a formality and the 37-year-old comfortably served out for the win.

Nadal will next face Australian Jason Kubler in the round of 16.