Rafael Nadal on Wednesday hailed longtime rival Novak Djokovic as the best player in the history of the sport.

The popular American former world number one, himself widely considered among the best the sport has seen, also had lavish praise for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The changing of the guard in men’s tennis has long been on an asymptotic course, getting closer and closer to the inevitable but not quite materialising.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including missing 11 majors through a series of injuries

"Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level in five-set matches. I'm flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Rafael Nadal said he would have to wait and see how his body recovered after needing a medical time-out towards the end of his quarter-final loss at the Brisbane International on Friday.

Spanish great Rafael Nadal's comeback to tennis came to an end when he lost a 3hr 25min marathon quarter-final to Australian Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International on Friday.

Playing his first tournament since being forced to retire injured at the 2023 Australian Open, Nadal was far too strong for the Australian, who did not have the shots to harm the Spaniard.

The 22-times Grand Slam champion had arthroscopic surgery last June after injuring his left hip flexor during his second round defeat by Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in early 2023.

Nadal looked sharp on court and appeared to have no issues with his movement after the long lay-off for a hip problem

Rafael Nadal left the door ajar Sunday to continuing after the 2024 season, but conceded there was "a high percentage" that he was on his last trip as a player to Australia.

Andy Murray conceded Saturday he longed for the chance to play again on the big stage against superstars Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal was handed a dream start to his comeback tournament after drawing a qualifier Saturday in the opening round of the Brisbane International.

The 37-year-old has not played since a second-round loss at the Australian Open this year, undergoing two rounds of hip surgery on the long road back.

Showstopper Nick Kyrgios and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu were notable absentees Thursday from the 2024 Australian Open entry list, but Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka are set for their Grand Slam comebacks.

Former world number one Rafael Nadal said on Monday he expects "nothing" from himself before his return to the courts next month.

Former tennis world number one Rafael Nadal will return at the Brisbane International warm up event for the Australian Open in January, the Spaniard said on Friday.

Roger Federer described Novak Djokovic's record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title achievement as "unbelievable" on Wednesday but avoided anointing his old rival as the greatest player of all time.

Rafael Nadal underwent an arthroscopic intervention on Friday to assess the hip injury which has kept him out of competition since the Australian Open in January with the result to be known on Saturday, the day of his 37th birthday.

Rafael Nadal on Thursday withdrew from the French Open because his hip injury has not healed and said he expects 2024 to be his final year in professional tennis.