<p>Australian Open champion Rafa Nadal will make his return from a month-long absence due to injury at this week's ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Open that begins later this week, the Spaniard announced on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The 35-year-old, who last played in the final of Indian Wells against Taylor Fritz on March 22, suffered a stress fracture in his rib during the tournament, forcing him to miss claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>"So I'm going to try to do it in the best way I can. See you in Madrid."</p>.<p>The former world number's one return to action comes little under a month before the French Open, where he will be bidding for a record-extending 14th title. The claycourt major gets underway on May 22.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Australian Open champion Rafa Nadal will make his return from a month-long absence due to injury at this week's ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Open that begins later this week, the Spaniard announced on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The 35-year-old, who last played in the final of Indian Wells against Taylor Fritz on March 22, suffered a stress fracture in his rib during the tournament, forcing him to miss claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>"So I'm going to try to do it in the best way I can. See you in Madrid."</p>.<p>The former world number's one return to action comes little under a month before the French Open, where he will be bidding for a record-extending 14th title. The claycourt major gets underway on May 22.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>