Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal has celebrated a successful comeback after a long injury break.
More than three months after his last match on the ATP tour, the 37-year-old Spaniard won his opening game against Flavio Cobolli from Italy 6:2, 6:3 at the tournament in Barcelona on Tuesday (April 16, 2024).
“Age makes things more difficult”
“I’ve tried it several times in my career, and every time it gets more difficult. Especially when you’re older. That makes things more difficult,” said Nadal afterwards with a smile about his return to the court: “I “I’ve been through difficult moments, but at the same time it means a lot to me to be able to be on the tour for a few days, train with the guys and compete with them.” The joy of it is still very great.
Slight problems at the beginning
In the first game on his beloved clay since his 14th title at the French Open 681 days ago, Nadal initially had slight difficulties at the start.
The first serve landed in the net and he gave up the first two points. With every rally, the 22-time Grand Slam winner found his game more and more, but he also benefited from his 21-year-old opponent’s nervousness. After 1:25 hours, Nadal converted his second match point.
Nadal’s big goal is the French Open in Paris next summer, and the Mallorcan is also targeting the Olympic Games. Barcelona is therefore considered an important tournament in its preparation. Nadal has already triumphed twelve times on the oldest tennis facility in Spain, whose center court has borne his name since 2017.
Tough draw against de Minaur
In round two, Nadal will face fourth-placed Australian Alex de Minaur. Nadal was out almost all of 2023 due to a hip injury. After his comeback in January 2024, he had to miss the Australian Open due to a torn muscle fiber. Since then, several attempts by the 2008 Olympic champion to return to the ATP tour have failed.
Should Nadal also win his second match in Barcelona, the clay court king could face Daniel Altmaier in the round of 16. The 25-year-old from Kempen won in the Catalan metropolis at the start with 6:3, 7:6 (7:4) against Alexei Popyrin from Australia.
