Early signs are good for Rafael Nadal but the former world No.1 faces a tough Australian Open fitness test at this week's Brisbane International.
Nadal, 30, made a triumphant return from the wrist injury that had sidelined him since October, winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event title at Abu Dhabi on New Year's Eve.
The 14-time grand slam winner defeated world No.11 David Goffin of Belgium 6-4 7-6 (7-5) claiming the lucrative title for a fourth time.
However, the fifth-seeded Spaniard faces a tough turnaround for his Brisbane International debut.
Nadal will arrive in Brisbane on Monday - barely 24 hours before a first round clash with Ukraine's world No.62 Alexandr Dolgopolov, a former Brisbane International finalist.
It's a testing schedule for someone who has battled knee and wrist injuries the past two years.
But world No.9 Nadal showed no sign of discomfort at Abu Dhabi - his first tournament since ending his year after October's Shanghai Masters.
"I'm very happy to be competing again," said Nadal, who has recruited ex-world No.1 Carlos Moya as his new coach.
"These three days have been very good for me.
"These three days, playing at this level, bode very well for the rest of the season."
Nadal is expected to take on former world No.13 Dolgopolov on Tuesday.
German Mischa Zverev likely looms in the second round before a potential quarter-final showdown with top seed and world No.3 Milos Raonic.
However, Nadal has been heartened by his Abu Dhabi form where he defeated Raonic 7-6(7-2) 6-3 to make the final against Goffin.
"I played three matches against three top players, and to win against these kind of players is not possible if you're not playing well," Nadal said.
"So these three victories were really positive news. It was also pleasing to see that when I'm able to hit my forehand with confidence, the matches are going the way I want them to.
"I have worked a lot to try to put myself in a position to be competitive again and to try to make the fans enjoy my tennis again, so I will do my best to make that happen."
Nadal will hit the Brisbane courts for the first time with a two hour practice session at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Monday night.
Canada's Raonic was also headed for Brisbane after he was defeated by world No.1 Andy Murray 6-3 7-6 (8-6) in the third place playoff at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament.
Raonic has a first round bye in Brisbane.
