Rafael Nadal to play in Hamburg

Former world number one Rafael Nadal has been confirmed on the playing list for next week's Hamburg Open.

There had been suggestions that following his campaign at Wimbledon, the Spaniard would start to play on hard courts in preparation for September's US Open.

However, he has instead decided to revert back to the clay in Rothenbaum, where he has not featured in seven years.

His one triumph in that particular tournament came back in 2008 when he defeated Roger Federer 7-5 [3]6-7 6-3 in the final.