Rafael Nadal wins in Brisbane in first competitive singles match in a year

Rafael Nadal returns with a win in Brisbane in first competitive singles match in a year. Victoria Azarenka also wins.

Rafael Nadal's triumphant return to the court in Brisbane after a year of rehab and uncertainty was a momentous occasion. The 22-time major winner showed no signs of rust in his 7-5, 6-1 victory over Dominic Thiem, who is also returning from an injury. Nadal expressed his emotions, saying that it was an important day for him and that he was proud to play at such a positive level after the longest period of time without being in a professional tournament.

Nadal's protracted recovery from a surgically repaired hip didn't seem to slow him down, as he made very few unforced errors, lost only six points on his serve, and hit some stunning forehand winners. He described the last year as the toughest of his professional career and expressed his nerves and worries about returning to the top level. However, he was content with his performance, low error rate, and how his body felt after his initial foray back.

In the next round, Nadal will play Australian wild card Jason Kubler, who was one set apiece with Aslan Karatsev at 6-4, 6-7 (4) when the No. 8 seed retired injured. The day's play also saw some upsets in the women's draw, with 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin being upset by No. 113-ranked Arina Rodionova and Victoria Azarenka facing a tough match before finally securing a win.

Despite the interruptions due to rain, the Brisbane International continued with some exciting matchups, and Nadal's return to the court was a highlight of the tournament. His victory was a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome adversity.