Rafael Nadal plays down hope of Australian Open mission ‘impossible’ as he prepares for return to tennis at Brisbane International

Rafael Nadal has tried to play down his 'impossible' hopes for the Australian Open title, which would take the form of the first stop on his 2024 farewell world tour.

But for the Spanish 37-year-old, who returns to the Brisbane International from Sunday after almost a year away with injury, Australia is a place where the impossible happens.

The 22-time champion's last match was a second-round defeat at the Australian Open in January earlier this year, with Nadal ultimately opting for surgery in June to repair his troublesome hip.

Thousands of fans lined up for a glimpse of the tennis action at a downtown Brisbane gathering on Friday, as an upbeat Nadal was keen to play down the prospect of a title in the city – or a third Australian Open crown next month.

“It's impossible to think about winning tournaments today,” he said when told Australian world number 40 Alexei Popyrin had tipped him to win the Brisbane event.

'What is really possible is to enjoy the comeback. I don't expect much; a year without being on the field.'

Nadal scored his first goal ahead of the Brisbane International, where he will warm up for another Australian Open singles title

But he was quick to recall his victories at Melbourne Park when asked: two titles won against the odds in 2009 and 2022 that belied the low expectations of the current world number 672.

In 2009, he outlasted compatriot Fernando Verdasco for more than five hours in the semi-final, before going the distance in a four-hour epic to beat Roger Federer two days later.

Thirteen years later, after being sidelined for six months by a foot injury, he came from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final.

“I still don't know,” he said of how he won that 2009 title.

'Before the match it was impossible to imagine that I would win that match.'

Nadal defied all odds to claim victory in the 2022 Australian Open final despite going two sets down

Nadal, who missed the French Open last year after winning it for the 14th time a year earlier, has said 2024 will “probably be my last year on the professional tour.”

But he said he was encouraged by his condition and admitted he is feeling “much better than I expected a month ago.”

“I can't have super long-term goals because I don't see myself playing for a super long time,” he said on Friday.

'I don't know what happens next.

'I am not a player who tries to predict what can happen in the short term, and in the medium term it is even more difficult.

“I have to accept the setback and that it won't be perfect, just come with the right spirit every day.”

Hundreds of tennis fans flocked to Brisbane's Queen Street Mall to meet Nadal

Naomi Osaka also returns to the Australian Open after the birth of her first child, pictured enjoying her time at Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

World number 8 Holger Rune is the highest-ranked man in the Brisbane field, while Andy Murray, Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov and Sebastian Korda lead the internationals.

Popyrin and Max Purcell were automatically entered, while compatriots Rinky Hijikata and Aleksandar Vukic received wildcards for the main draw.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Chris O'Connell are both set to qualify, joining US Open champion Dominic Thiem and Saturday's Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.

But that Australian pair could still earn late call-ups to the main draw once any withdrawals are confirmed on Friday afternoon.

Naomi Osaka returns in a stacked women's draw after the birth of her child.