Why Brisbane Open tennis 2024 is popular than before

• Nadal sustained a hip flexor injury
• He underwent arthroscopic surgery to remedy the injury
• The recovery process took longer than expected, keeping him sidelined for most of the year

Why is Brisbane Open tennis 2024 so popular, unlike previous years?

The answer lies with Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal; it is his first tournament in 11 months which he has been out of action.

Nadal sustained a hip flexor injury during his second-round loss at the Australian Open in January. This injury, which had been bothering him for some time, forced him to withdraw from several tournaments throughout the year, including the prestigious French Open and Wimbledon.

In June, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to remedy the injury. While the surgery was successful, the recovery process took longer than expected, keeping him sidelined for most of the year.

Why is Brisbane Open Tennis 2024 Popular?

While still in recovery, the Spaniard announced his retirement in 2024 but seemingly changed tune as he regained form.

He said that Brisbane Open Tennis will be the yardstick on how long he will play tennis or he will retire after the French Open as earlier indicated.

Rafael Nadal. Photo/Tennis Major

With 20.7 million followers on Instagram, he commands a huge tennis fanbase that is always hoping he doesn’t retire anytime soon.

Further, Osaka’s presence is a huge statement to the tennis world. It is her first tournament in 15 months. She last played tennis at the Tokyo Open in 2022 only to return with news of her pregnancy.

The American-based Japanese tennis star announced that she was pregnant just days to the first match of the Australian Open. She welcomed her first born daughter in June and has since been off the court.

Osaka earlier expressed her desire to win another Grand Slam in 2024 saying that she will participate in many tournaments as she can. She brings her 2.7 million fans on Instagram to Brisbane Open tennis international.

Where is the Brisbane Open Played?

The Brisbane Open is played at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, Brisbane, Australia. This outdoor hard-court complex features several courts, including the Pat Rafter Arena, the main court with a capacity of 5,000 seats that can be extended to 7,500 with temporary seating.

The tournament is currently ongoing, taking place from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024. While the Brisbane International Open has historically been a popular event on the tennis calendar, it’s currently going through a transition period.

This is due to its recent shift from the ATP World Tour 250 series to the ATP Cup qualifying event. It is held just before the first Grand Slam of the year; the Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka. Photo/NYI

It serves as a key preparation tournament for many top players looking to kickstart their season on a strong note.

Also, the hard courts of the Queensland Tennis Centre are popular for promoting aggressive, quick-paced tennis, resulting in exciting matches with frequent baseline rallies and powerful serves.

What is the Prize Money For Brisbane Open Tennis?

Brisbane Open tennis has a $2.2 million prize money pool. It combines ATP 250 and ATP 500 Masters which welcome 180 tennis players from across the world.

The tournament undergoes an exciting transformation, as the women’s singles draw expands to 48, providing increased competitive opportunities for top female athletes.

Tournament Director Cam Pearson expresses enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to bring back the Brisbane International, now bigger and better than ever in 2024.”

Adding to the excitement, the return of Brisbane International coincides with another highly anticipated event—the commencement of ticket sales. Early bird tickets, starting from September 20, signify the start of fans’ journey into the world of world-class tennis in Queensland.

The 2024 Brisbane International presents a star-studded lineup, with nine Grand Slam champions in the spotlight, including Nadal, Andy Murray, Osaka, and Aryna Sabalenka.

In the men’s category, notable players like Holger Rune and Grigor Dimitrov, both ranked in the top 20, are part of the competition.

On the women’s side, the event highlights eight of the world’s top 20 players, including Karolina Pliskova and Madison Keys.