Rafael Nadal returned to action for the first time since January at the Brisbane International on Sunday, losing his doubles match but overall showing no obvious after-effects of the hip injury that ruined his year.

The 22-time grand slam champion, who is gearing up for the Australian Open, sustained the hip problem in his second-round loss at Melbourne Park at the start of 2023 and ended his season early after having surgery in June.

The 37-year-old Nadal rekindled his partnership with retired veteran Marc Lopez, with whom he won an Olympic gold medal in 2016, for his comeback but the Spaniards lost 6-4, 6-4 to Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson at a packed Pat Rafter
Arena.

"It's great to see Rafa back," said Thompson.

Nadal will play in his singles opener on Tuesday against Dominic Thiem, against whom he holds a 9-6 win-loss record.