Rafael Nadal made a winning return to action after eight months out through injury and illness when he partnered Juan Monaco to a straight sets doubles victory in the opening round of the VTR Open in Chile.
Nadal, whose last singles match was his shock second-round defeat to Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June, was forced to abort his return from a knee injury in December after being struck down by a stomach virus - an illness which ruled him out of last month's Australian Open.
Nadal thanks the Chilean crowd for their support
The former world number one was back on court in Vina del Mar today, though, as he and Argentine Monaco record an impressive 6-3 6-2 victory over second seeds Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy in a match that lasted just over an hour.
The 26-year-old 11-time major winner, who has not contested an ATP tournament in South America since 2005, is scheduled to make his singles comeback against Argentinian Federico Delbonis tomorrow.
The Spaniard is the tournament's top seed and received a first-round bye.
Rafael Nadal comeback
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(01 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hits a return during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(02 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during the ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(03 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (L) and Argentine Juan Monaco (R) celebrates a point during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(04 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(05 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(06 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (L) and Argentine Juan Monaco take a rest during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(07 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(08 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (R) and Argentine Juan Monaco (L) gesture during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(09 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates a victory with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(10 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hits a return during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(11 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal serves next to Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(12 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hits a return during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(13 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(14 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal signs autographs after the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(15 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns the ball during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(16 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hits a return during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(17 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal changes his t-shirt after the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(18 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal signs autographs after the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(19 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal signs autographs after the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(20 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal signs autographs after the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(21 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (top L) and Argentine Juan Monaco (2nd L) play against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank (down-L) and Lukas Dlouhy (down-R) during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(22 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hits a return during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(23 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal server during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(24 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal reacts during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(25 of29)
Argentine Juan Monaco (R) serves next to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, during a Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(26 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal server during an ATP Vina del Mar tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco (not in frame), against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(27 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns the ball next to Argentine Juan Monaco (R), during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles matchagainst Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(28 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (L) and Argentine Juan Monaco celebrate after winning the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
TENNIS-CHILE-ATP-DOUBLES-NADAL-MONACO(29 of29)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal wipes his face during the Vina del Mar ATP tournament doubles match with Argentine Juan Monaco against Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermank and Lukas Dlouhy, in Vina del Mar, about 120 km northwest of Santiago, on February 5 , 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)