Rafael Nadal is set to return to competition after a long layoff, with Dominik Thiem serving as his first opponent in Brisbane. The Austrian makes his comeback nearly a year after his last appearance, which came at the 2023 Australian Open where a psoas-related injury in his left leg forced him off court. Thiem earned his spot in the main draw through a solid qualifying run, earning a matchup against Nadal that promises a compelling clash given their history at the game’s highest levels [Source: ATP Tour].
The tournament’s single-elimination structure guarantees that one of tennis’ all-time greats will emerge from the knockout rounds as the champion of this event. After advancing through the qualifying rounds, Thiem progressed to face Nadal in what will be their sixteenth career meeting. The match, initially scheduled for early January, marks Nadal’s first competitive action since his recent injury layoff and Thiem’s return to high-stakes tour play [Source: ATP Tour].
Thiem, who trained alongside Nadal in Brisbane in the days leading up to the opener, earned his place in the main draw by defeating Italian Giulio Zeppieri in a three-set victory, with scores of 3-6, 6-4, and 6-4. The win is a testament to Thiem’s resilience as he navigates the post-injury landscape and re-enters the tour’s elite level, where Nadal remains a dominant force [Source: ATP Tour].
This will be the sixteenth meeting between the Spaniard and the Austrian, with Nadal holding nine victories to Thiem’s six. The head-to-head is shaped by several high-profile duels, including Nadal’s triumphs in recent important encounters at the Australian Open and the ATP Finals in 2020, underscoring the ongoing rivalry between two players who have defined much of this era’s clay- and hard-court battles [Source: ATP Tour].
As a 30-year-old veteran, Thiem remains ranked in the top tier, currently around the 90th position, as he continues to rebuild after his injury setback. His career includes seventeen titles and a US Open championship from 2020, as well as three Grand Slam finals—one at the Australian Open and two at Roland Garros—where he has repeatedly tested Nadal’s form and consistency on big stages. These Finals appearances and Grand Slam showings have shaped a narrative of perseverance, head-to-head encounters, and a renewed pursuit of top-tier results on both hard and clay courts [Source: ATP Tour].