Nadal to make injury return at Madrid Open while Federer set for comeback at home

Australian Open champion Rafa Nadal announced he will make his return from a month-long absence due to injury at this week's Madrid Open.

Nadal, 35, last played in the final of Indian Wells against Taylor Fritz on March 20 and had suffered a stress fracture in his rib during the tournament. That forced him to miss claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

"Despite arriving just before the tournament and preparation being difficult, I really want to play at home since the opportunities are few," Nadal wrote on Twitter.

"So I'm going to try to do it in the best way I can. See you in Madrid."

The former world No 1's return to action comes little under a month before the French Open, where he will be aiming for a record-extending 14th title. The claycourt major gets underway on May 22.