Rafael Nadal to return to playing in January

MADRID (AP) Rafael Nadal says he will return to playing at the start of the year.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since having his appendix removed this month, forcing him to miss the season-ending ATP finals.

Nadal says ''I will play in Abu Dhabi in January, and after that I will play my first official tournament in Doha.''

The Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament is scheduled for Jan. 1-3. The tournament in Doha, Qatar, will be played the following week.