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Nadal touches down in Brisbane

2 January 2017, by brisbaneinternational.com.au

Rafael Nadal has arrived for his Brisbane International debut, with the 14-time grand slam set to hit the practice courts at the Queensland Tennis Centre later on Monday.

The 30-year-old claimed the Abu Dhabi warm-up event before his flight to the Sunshine State.

He will meet former Brisbane finalist, Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov, in the first round at a yet-to-be-determined session on Tuesday.

Fans can catch a glimpse of the Spaniard on Monday with a two-hour session on Court 10 from 6pm-8pm with Free After Five passes, which can be collected at the gates and are restricted to the capacity of Queensland Tennis Centre.

The Free After Five passes are available after 5pm every night of the week, starting from Monday, January 2.

You can also tune in to our Facebook page to watch Nadal practise live.

“I was very happy with my performance (in Abu Dhabi) and it gives me some positive energy to take into the new year,” Nadal said ahead of his Brisbane debut.

“I played three matches against three top players, and to win against these kind of players is not possible if you’re not playing well. So these three victories were really positive news. It was also pleasing to see that when I’m able to hit my forehand with confidence, the matches are going the way I want them to.

“I have worked a lot to try to put myself in a position to be competitive again and to try to make the fans enjoy my tennis again, so I will do my best to make that happen.”

As well as the chance to get up close to Nadal, spectators taking advantage of the Free After Five initiative can also experience some world-class entertainment in the Racquet Club, and catch some of the first-round matches being played on the outside courts.

Tickets are still available to purchase for Pat Rafter Arena on Monday night, where home hero Ash Barty will play her first-round match against Aleksandra Krunic, followed by seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov against Steve Johnson.

 

Tickets to all sessions are on sale now via Ticketek.