Former world number one Rafael Nadal will return to the Australian Open next month for a special appearance at the tournament’s “Night of Legends” on Feb. 1, organisers said on Monday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who retired in November 2024, will be joined at the event by former world number one Ashleigh Barty and Australian wheelchair tennis great Dylan Alcott. The exhibition will take place at Melbourne Park on the same day as the men’s singles final.
Nadal won the Australian Open twice, in 2009 and 2022, with both titles coming in five-set finals. His victory over Daniil Medvedev in 2022 remains one of the tournament’s most memorable matches, with the Spaniard rallying from two sets down to win in five hours and 24 minutes. Nadal finished his Australian Open career with a 77-16 win-loss record.
Barty ended a 44-year wait for an Australian women’s singles champion at Melbourne Park when she lifted the title in 2022, before announcing her retirement two months later. Alcott is among the most decorated wheelchair players in Australian Open history, winning multiple singles and doubles titles.
Nadal’s appearance follows similar tributes during the tournament in recent years, including a special ceremony for Roger Federer, who was joined by Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter. Nadal was also honoured at Roland Garros last year, where fans and fellow players paid tribute to his career as a 14-time French Open champion.
(IANS)
