Nadal looked sharp on court and appeared to have no issues with his movement after the long lay-off for a hip problem
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has undergone surgery twice in 2023 after struggling with a hip injury.
Djokovic will spearhead Serbia at the tournament from December 29-January 7 in Sydney and Perth as he builds towards the defence of his Australian Open title.
While Novak Djokovic reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz after winning a record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open, there were clear signs of the end of an era as Rafael Nadal dropped out of the top 100 and reached his worst position in the rankings since March of 2003, when he was just a 16-year-old.
Nadal has been struggling with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, and fears the Spaniard may miss the Paris Grand Slam grew after he pulled out of this week's Italian Open
The 19-year-old brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 to add the Barcelona trophy to wins in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells in 2023. He now has nine career titles
Sporting greats Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal on Instagram backed each other on to win the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
Rafael Nadal launched his Australian Open title defence with a four-set victory over Britain's Jack Draper as home hope Nick Kyrgios exited through injury without hitting a ball.
Five top contenders for the men's title at the Australian Open, which starts on Monday:
Roger Federer dropped hints that his great career may be drawing to a close after his age-defying win over his Grand Slam nemesis Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer made it as clear as he politely could that he would welcome the chance to renew his epic rivalry with Rafa Nadal, who plays Grigor Dimitrov in the second semifinal today, as he chases his 18th grand slam title.
Rafael Nadal's ageing legs outlasted German teenager Alexander Zverev in an epic five sets as Serena Williams sailed into the last 16 at the Australian Open on Saturday.
Rafael Nadal powered into the second round of the Australian Open with a commanding straight-sets win over Germany's Florian Mayer on Tuesday.
World number ones Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber were named the top seeds on Thursday for next week's Australian Open with organisers aligning with the current rankings.
Rafael Nadal says the emergence of a new generation is just what tennis needs, while welcoming back old foe Roger Federer to help him keep them at bay.
Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal hopes a dramatic change to his longstanding schedule will lead to success in the Australian Open later this month.
Rafael Nadal storms through his opening match of the China Open as he seeks to redeem his injury-blighted season with a strong run in Beijing.
Mo Farah, Rafael Nadal and Justin Rose are among athletes targeted in the latest leak of confidential medical documents that the world anti-doping agency (WADA) says were hacked by a Russian cyber espionage group.
Novak Djokovic, well rested after not playing since Monday, resumes his US Open title defence against fiery Russian Mikhail Youzhny, a two-time semi-finalist in New York.