'He is definitely much more mature and he knows the value of his place in the Indian team, 2-3 years of not being there.' 'He will now look to take care of his body much more. He has developed from a youngster to a responsible person now.' 'He knows what he needs to do, to succeed at the highest level.'
Usman Khawaja will return to training on Tuesday after being cleared to play the second Test
Here is a quick glance of all the highs and lows from Nadal's stupendous career:
Maria Sharapova will return to tournament action at the Brisbane International next month
After several losses in the early years of the new century, a resurgent India notched up two consecutive series wins in Australia to become the Aussies' nemesis.
Nadal expresses doubt over Australian Open participation
The Spaniard, who has slipped to world number 672, said he was feeling much better than a year ago but added that he cannot have long-term goals just yet.
Former World No 1 Justine Henin plans to make her return to tournament tennis at next year's Brisbane International as part of her preparations for the Australian Open.
Damian Torrie held up a sign and yelled out "Marry me Maria Sharapova?" during her first match, which encouraged a chorus of laughs around Pat Rafter Arena, News.com.au reported.
The 37-year-old spat blood and was feeling his jaw before leaving the ground.
Maria Sharapova made a powerful start to the new tennis season on Tuesday, crushing Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova 6-0, 6-1 at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.
Maria Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic in the final of the Brisbane International on Saturday in a display that bodes well for her chances at the Australian Open.
Brett Lee's 5 for 27 in the tri-series opener are now the best by an Australian bowler against India at Brisbane.
Osaka will take plenty of positives out of the contest
Adelaide Strikers claimed their second straight Women's Big Bash League title on Saturday
Rediff reader Anil Raichur spotted Aussie pacer Mitchell Johnson at the Brisbane Domestic Airport.
Reader Ravi Mehta sent us this picture from Brisbane.
Roger Federer will start his 2014 campaign at the Brisbane International next January, underlining the tournament's status as the biggest of the Australian Open warm-ups.
Victoria Azarenka displayed the kind of form that could lead her to a hat-trick of Australian Open titles later this month by brushing aside German fourth seed Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-1 in the Brisbane International final on Saturday.
Floodwaters entered the low-lying areas of Australia's third-largest city today as the Brisbane river breached its banks, forcing thousands in the Queensland capital to flee their homes in the midst of frantic rescue efforts.
Czech Karolina Pliskova crushed Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-0, 6-3 with a barrage of winners to win the Brisbane International title on Saturday and signal her intent for this month's Australian Open.
'I've never been of the thought that Rafa needs rhythm because he's too good for that. But now the situation is different.'
Top seed Andy Roddick continued his steady buildup to this month's Australian Open with a workmanlike 7-6, 6-3 second round win over Australian Carsten Ball at the Brisbane International on Wednesday.
Former captain Michael Vaughan feels Australia looked jaded in the recent home Test series against the West Indies and said England stand a great chance in next year's Ashes if a "Dad's Army" is fielded by their arch-rivals.
The dawn of a new era had begun under Sourav Ganguly's aggressive leadership. With Ganguly and Coach John Wright at the helm India had transitioned into a force to be reckoned with.
Rafael Nadal said he would love to keep playing long enough for his son to remember him on court, though the 22-time Grand Slam champion concedes time is not on his side.
The decibel readings were not needed for Victoria Azarenka on Monday as the groans from the crowd at the Brisbane International almost drowned out her trademark shrieks.
'We believe there are other, more creative solutions than rebuilding the Gabba for the Games which provide a legacy for our sports and even greater access for fans to an exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games.'
Andy Murray narrowly avoided the wrath of coach Ivan Lendl after labouring to a 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 win over Australian qualifier John Millman in his opening match at the Brisbane International on Thursday.
Rafael Nadal said he was still in two minds about whether he will play in the French Open.
Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic upset Spain's Fernando Verdasco 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to claim the men's singles title at the inaugural Brisbane International.
Belarussian Victoria Azarenka beat Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-1 in the women's final at the Brisbane International on Saturday to capture her first WTA singles title.
Starc currently stands as the fifth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test cricket, with 351 wickets to his credit.
Novak Djokovic will prepare for a tilt at an 11th Australian Open title by representing Serbia at the United Cup mixed team tournament while old rival Rafael Nadal and former women's world number one Naomi Osaka return at Brisbane after time away.
Smith carried his bat with an unbeaten 91 in a losing cause in Brisbane.
Cameron Green said that his body is in great shape, where he can contribute well as a bowler
Pacer Ravi Rampaul led a fine bowling performance by scalping four wickets as Trinidad and Tobago defended a small total to beat Brisbane Heat by 25 runs in a low-scoring Champions League Twenty20 match in Ranchi on Sunday.
Jake Fraser-McGurk set the IPL alight with his smashing performance with the bat for Delhi Capitals, hitting 330 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 234.
Nadal was given a stiff test by the 24-year-old in a match which lasted almost three hours on centre court, and now faces Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz.
Roger Federer took 55 minutes to dispel all injury doubts with a 6-2, 6-1 routing of unheralded German Tobias Kamke in the second round of the Brisbane International on Thursday. Media speculations swirled around the fitness of the world number three less than two weeks before he launches his bid for a fifth Australian Open title and the Swiss maestro dismissed them by dropping only three games in a lop-sided contest. "I'm going to do my best to stay injury free and give myself a chance to win another grand slam," Federer said after setting up a quarter-final against Grigor Dimitrov.
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