World number four Rafael Nadal will be starting his claycourt campaign sooner than expected after having signed up in three claycourt tournaments that will take place in South America in February 2013.
The seven-time French Open champion will be making his return at the ATP Tour on February 4 via the VTR Open which takes place in Viña del Mar, Chile. It’s been eight years since he participated at this tournament.
This development came less than two days after Nadal confirmed that he will also participate at Brazil Open 2013 which takes place a week later. He had already confirmed his participation as well at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico which begins on February 25.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one has not played on tour since his surprise second round loss at the Wimbledon 2012 tournament where he was upset by Lukas Rosol.
The Spaniard has suffered from tendinitis in his left knee. This led him to miss several events including the Qatar ExxonMobil and Australian Open this year.
