Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal will be ready to play in the Australian Open, claims his uncle and former coach, Tony Nadal.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner is recovering from a foot injury on his left foot that ended the season prematurely.

The Spaniard is already training at his academy in Mallorca and has already announced that he will return to tennis in the middle of next month, at the Mubadala Exhibition Tournament in Abu Dhabi.

- I think Rafa will be ready to play in the Australian Open. He trains every day and I believe he will return to full training in December to better prepare for the Melbourne Grand Slam - said Tony Nadal.

The tournament in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to take place from December 16 to 18, while the start of the Australian Open is scheduled for January 17 next year.