Rafael Nadal to make Brisbane International debut in 2017

Johannesburg: 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will kick off his season in Australia for the first time when he takes on field at the Brisbane International next year, the organizers has confirmed.

Reflecting on his debut at the tournament, the Spaniard said that he was really excited with the idea of playing the first week of the season in the eastern city of Brisbane for the first time,Sport24 reported.

While admitting that he needed such kind of a start to his season, Nadal believes that the tournament would turn out to be beneficial ahead of the Australian Open.

Meanwhile, tournament`s director Geoff Quinlan revealed that the organisers had been in talks with the 30-year-old from several years, adding that the Spaniard would surely be a big draw-card for fans.

The Brisbane International is slated to be held from January 1 to January 8 in the lead-up to the Australian Open.