Rafael Nadal makes his long-awaited return to motion this afternoon when he’ll face Flavio Cobolli on the Spanish clay in spherical of 64 of the Barcelona Open.
Nadal has been ravaged by accidents in recent times and final Could introduced his intention to retire on the finish of this season.
The farewell tour for the 22-time main event winner has did not go to plan although, after he needed to pull out of the Australian Open in January attributable to a hip damage and subsequently missed ATP 1000 occasions in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo.
Nevertheless, the 37-year-old will play on the Barcelona Open, the place there’s a court docket named in his honour towards Italian teen Cobolli, which is able to symbolize his first skilled tie on clay since his 2022 Roland Garros triumph.
“No, I can’t provide you with an damage replace as a result of the checklist is lengthy and I simply wish to take into consideration what can occur,” Nadal stated on Monday. “I can solely inform you that right now I really feel myself, sufficient good to be on court docket tomorrow and that for me is so necessary.
“It means so much to me to have the ability to play yet one more time right here in Barcelona, a spot that I’ve superb success and quite a lot of unforgettable reminiscences.
“So, I’m simply making an attempt to take pleasure in each second and I’m enthusiastic about being on court docket in an expert event once more, particularly right here at house.”
Nadal has gained this event a report 12 instances however has solely managed three aggressive matches in 2024.
He did lately participate in an exhibition with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, who will miss this week’s ATP 500 occasion attributable to a forearm damage.
Nadal, world No 644, has battled along with his health for a number of years and was on crutches a day after his final main victory on the French Open in 2022, which was adopted by injury-hit appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open earlier than he barely featured final 12 months.
This look in Barcelona does a minimum of increase the prospect that he may take part at Roland Garros subsequent month and later this 12 months when it hosts the tennis event for the Paris Olympics.
Nadal is due on court docket no sooner than 3pm, as soon as the spherical of 32 match between Andrey Rublev and Brandon Nakashima has concluded.