Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Brisbane International result as Spaniard makes tennis return

The 37-year-old Spaniard was in impressive form as he dismissed Thiem 7-5 6-1 in his first match in almost 12 months

"Ready to compete" - Nadal returns to action at the Brisbane International after 12-month absence

Rafael Nadal marked his singles comeback after being out injured for nearly a year with a convincing 7-5 6-1 victory over Austrian former world number three Dominic Thiem in the Brisbane International first round.

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 returned to competitive tennis in the new season on Sunday and crashed to a doubles defeat while partnering retired veteran Marc Lopez but showed glimpses of his top form ahead of the first grand slam of the season.

The 37-year-old looked razor sharp again during his latest meeting with qualifier Thiem in a rematch of their 2018 and 2019 French Open finals which he won, as he ramped up the pressure and claimed the opening set with a break.

Roared on by fans inside a heaving Pat Rafter Arena, Nadal grabbed an early break in the second set with a superb backhand pass and barely looked back as he racked up a 5-1 lead before closing out the match on serve.

Relive all the action from the Brisbane International below

Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Latest score as Spaniard makes tennis comeback

• Rafael Nadal returns to winning ways after after almost 12 months out
• GAME, SET, MATCH! Nadal wraps up emphatic 7-5 6-1 victory on return against Thiem
• SET! Nadal takes first set 7-5 on return to lead against Thiem
• Emma Raducana beats Gabriela Ruse on return from injury after eight months out

[2 January 2024 10:35 · Ben Fleming]

*Nadal 7-5 5-1 Thiem

Another pair of unforced error from Thiem sees the game finely poised at 30-30 on the Austrian’s serve. And an amazing return from Nadal follows which cramps Thiem up for room and brings up another chance for the Spaniard to break...

And he takes it! Not much emotion from Rafa but he moves into a commanding position after another unforced error from Thiem.

Nadal now serving for the match.

[2 January 2024 10:29 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal 7-5 4-1 Thiem*

The first testing moment for Nadal, now, on serve as Thiem moves 30-15 up. A slight opening with Nadal stranded on the left side of the court but Thiem finds the net with an attempted down-the-line backhand winner.

Could that be costly? Indeed, it is as Nadal recovers well to hold serve and move just two games away from his first victory in a year.

[2 January 2024 10:25 · Ben Fleming]

*Nadal 7-5 3-1 Thiem

The Austrian is on the board at last in this second set as a loose game from Nadal finally arrives. We expected a lot more of that in this match but it’s been a steller display so far from the Spaniard.

[2 January 2024 10:20 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal 7-5 3-0 Thiem*

Thiem looking a bit perplexed with himself after another return flies long. Nadal races into a 40-0 lead on serve and consolidates the break in emphatic style as Thiem’s slice finds the net.

Five games in a row now for the returning Spaniard who is racing to the finish line now.

[2 January 2024 10:17 · Ben Fleming]

*Nadal 7-5 2-0 Thiem

Thiem’s third double fault of the game gives Nadal a 15-30 lead but it’s a tidy response from the Austrian to level it up at 30-30 with a booming first serve.

Well, now here’s a chance as Thiem goes long with an unforced error. An early break-point opportunity for Nadal...and taken in superb style! Thiem comes forward to the net but a whipping cross-court backhand evades the outstretched racquet of Thiem and Nadal strikes early to take a 2-0 lead in this second set.

[2 January 2024 10:12 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal 7-5 1-0 Thiem*

A few mistakes starting to creep into Thiem’s game - his team will want to ensure that his head doesn’t drop after losing that first set just then. It’s a comfortable start for Nadal in this second set, though, as he holds to love to move 1-0 up.

[2 January 2024 10:05 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal 7-5 Thiem

Another chance for Nadal as the backhand forces Thiem wide but again the World No. 98 holds firm to save another break point with a superb cross-court winner after a serve out wide.

But a double fault follows! The worst possible time and Nadal now has a third set point...saved again, though. Great courage to serve down the line there after his double fault just moments ago.

Chance number four coming up now for Nadal as the Spaniard fires a superb pass with Thiem at the net and this time he takes it as Thiem pushes his shot long. Superb from Nadal who claims his first set on return from injury!

[2 January 2024 10:01 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal 6-5 Thiem*

Now, is this the chance?! A crisp, flat backhand is arrowed into the corner as Nadal takes a 0-30 lead on Thiem’s serve for the first time this match.

A poor return of Nadal follows as a wry smile appears on the Spaniard’s face. It’s followed up superbly by Thiem who crunches a whipping forehand winner past Nadal to get back to 30-30.

But what a point to follow! The Spaniard is motoring and backpedalling all over the court and brings up his first break point of the game as Thiem finds the net. A chance to claim the first set...but not to be. A half chance as Thiem comes forward to the net but Nadal can’t execute the pass and it’s deuce.

A crucial few minutes in this match.

[2 January 2024 09:55 · Ben Fleming]

Nadal 6-5 Thiem*

Another comfortable hold of serve for Nadal as the Spaniard rips a forehand down the line to claim his sixth game of the first set. Thiem now looks to hold serve, too, and send us to a first-set tie-break.

[2 January 2024 09:51 · Ben Fleming]

*Nadal 5-5 Thiem

Thiem has certainly not been overawed by his opponent across the court at any point so far today. Some more sublime Tennis from the Austrian moves him 40-0 up and another pin-point forehand down the line brings him back level with Nadal at 5-5.