Rafael Nadal aims for Aussie return

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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Tournament director Craig Tiley said on Tuesday that Rafael Nadal is targeting the 2013 Australian Open for his return from a knee injury.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion partially tore his patella tendon and hasn't played since losing in the second round of Wimbledon in June.

It was also announced Tuesday that Australian Open organizers have increased prize money to a record $31.1 million for the first tennis major of 2013 in response to player concerns about compensation at Grand Slam tournaments.

Tiley said the $4.15 million increase was the largest from one year to the next in the tournament's history.

The move followed reports that some players were considering bypassing the tournament if prize money was not increased, particularly for losers in the early rounds.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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