Spain’s Rafael Nadal in motion. File
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Rafael Nadal will make his return to ATP competitors for the primary time since January when he performs Flavio Cobolli within the Barcelona Open subsequent week.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has performed simply as soon as, in an exhibition match, since he felt a hip damage flare-up throughout his quarter-final defeat by Jordan Thompson within the Brisbane Open.
Nadal, who turns 38 in June, will probably be in search of a problem-free return as he builds in direction of searching for a record-extending fifteenth French Open title — it runs from Might 20 to June 9.
The event has additionally been boosted by the return of Nadal’s compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, the world No.3, who withdrew from this week’s Monte Carlo Masters attributable to a proper arm damage.
In contrast to Nadal, who has a wild card invite, the two-time defending Barcelona champion will get a primary spherical bye attributable to being seeded.
Nadal was smiling when he appeared at Saturday’s press convention alongside the organisers and seeing his title within the draw.
Nadal has by no means performed 63rd ranked Cobolli, 16 years his junior. If he will get previous him, he’ll face the harder activity of Australian Alex De Minaur within the second spherical.
There may be the prospect of a tantalising semi-final assembly with Alcaraz on the centre court docket which now bears Nadal’s title following his 12 victories within the event.
A video was launched early afternoon exhibiting Nadal coaching, seemingly shifting with ease and inflicting a 6-1 thrashing on Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
Nadal missed nearly all the 2023 season via damage and has solely performed on the Brisbane Worldwide this season.
The damage in Brisbane prompted his withdrawal from the Australian Open in addition to Doha and Indian Wells, the place he had first supposed to make his comeback.
His one look since Brisbane got here in an exhibition match in opposition to Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March the place observers famous some discomfort in his again.
With this probably Nadal’s final 12 months on tour, he will probably be determined to not miss any extra clay court docket preparation time for the French Open.
