Nadal to make Australian return in exhibition event

World number one Rafa Nadal, who is struggling to get any match practice before the Australian Open, will play an exhibition event at Melbourne Park in the week leading up to the season opening grand slam, organisers said on Monday. The 31-year-old Spaniard has not played since he withdrew from the season-ending World Tour Finals in London in November with a knee injury. He had already withdrawn from an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, this week's Brisbane International and another event in Sydney, citing a lack of time to properly prepare.

Rafael Nadal to return from knee injury at @tiebreaktens ahead of 2018 Australian Open

✍️ @lukedbrown | https://t.co/bZVXwe9Yrw pic.twitter.com/FUZDg0wbeY

— Indy Sport (@IndySport) January 1, 2018

However, the 16-times grand slam winner will be part of the winner-takes all Tie Break Tens event at Melbourne Park on Jan. 10, five days before the Australian Open begins. "Tie Break Tens is a great concept and we will see and play some exciting matches," Nadal said in a statement. "The field is fantastic and I expect some tough competition which will be great for the Aussie fans."

I will be seeing my Aussie fans when I land on the 4th in Melbourne and start there my preparation for the Australian Open.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 27, 2017

The eight-man field includes Novak Djokovic, three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka, Australia's Nick Kyrgios, and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt. Each match is comprised solely of super tie breaks to 10 points. The knockout tournament provides a winner take-all purse of $250,000.

Rafa Nadal’s Australian Open campaign is back on track https://t.co/C3TZ3ZBPFq pic.twitter.com/YOCPpbN0WJ

— telegraph_sport (@telegraph_sport) January 1, 2018

"It really will be an intriguing contest," Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said. "These guys are all coming in at different stages of their preparation, but once their competitive instincts kick in, which will be almost instant in this format, there will be some absorbing contests. "Remember, there is not much room for error. You lose the tie break and you are out."

* NEW PLAYER ANNOUNCED* ??RAFA NADAL “Tie Break Tens is a great concept and it will no doubt lead to some exciting matches. It is an incredible field and I expect some tough competition which will be great for the Aussie fans.” pic.twitter.com/mOqB8rweEO

— Tie Break Tens (@tiebreaktens) January 1, 2018