Rafael Nadal stuns the tennis world with huge announcement on his future in the sport

Tennis great Rafael Nadal has put an end to rumors that he is retiring from the sport by announcing that he will compete at the Australian Open next January.

Tournament boss Craig Tiley announced the news on Australian television on Wednesday morning local time, delighting fans of the 37-year-old Spanish Grand Slam legend.

“We can exclusively reveal here that Rafa will be back,” he told the Today show.

‘He’s been out for most of the year and speaking to him over the last few days he’s confirmed he’ll be back, which we’re really excited about. It’s great.’

The 37-year-old has not played since injury ruined his run to another Australian Open title in January this year (pictured)

Nadal (pictured during an appearance at a soccer match in Spain last month) has been sidelined with a nagging hip injury that has ruled him out of the French Open and Wimbledon .

This will be Nadal’s first action on the ATP Tour since he was forced to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open due to a hip injury.

He withdrew from the French Open in an emotional press conference in May, with the ongoing complaint also excluding him from Wimbledon.

Nadal explained that he had not been able to train properly for months and would never be able to catch up at Roland Garros, where he has won the men’s singles title 14 times.

It was the first time he had missed the clay-court Grand Slam since 2004.

“After many years playing there, you can imagine what a difficult decision this was for me,” he said.

“It’s not a decision I made, it’s a decision my body made. I’m not going to play for the next few months.

Asked about taking a break from the game, he said: “I have to draw the line and that’s what I’m doing now.” Over the next few months I will strengthen my fitness and recover.

“I have to put my career on hold and I will try to regenerate my body. I’m not going to set a deadline, it will be when I feel physically ready.