Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal leaves the hospital after successfully undergoing an operation to remove his appendix in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 (Photo: 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.
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