Nadal is said to have been a impediment to Doha entrants

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open announced on Instagram that Rafael Nadal is among the entry list for the ATP 250, which runs from 19-24 February.

“Doha, get ready for the return of El Matador,” the tournament wrote in a post. “Thrilled to see Rafael Nadal back in action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2024. Vamos!”

Nadal, who did not compete in 2023 after the Australian Open due to injury, made a comeback this month in Brisbane, where he reached the quarter-finals. The Spaniard later revealed on X that he suffered a micro tear in a muscle that forced him to withdraw from the season’s first major.

A 92-time tour-level titlist, Nadal has not played in Doha since 2016. He lifted the trophy in Qatar’s capital city in 2014.

DOHA: Tennis great Rafael Nadal (pix) hopes to return to competitive action at the upcoming ATP tournament in Doha, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

The 37-year-old Spaniard is on the entry list for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open from February 19 to 24, organisers said.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner, who has been struggling with hip issues, played for the first time in nearly a year in the Brisbane International at the beginning of January.

However, he suffered a muscle injury in his quarter-final defeat to Australian Jordan Thompson and pulled out of the Australian Open. -Bernam