BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal is “prepared sufficient” to play on Tuesday in what he expects to be his final Barcelona Open.
Nadal on Monday confirmed his participation in his first clay-court event this 12 months.
“It was a constructive week of coaching and I’ll be on the courtroom,” stated Nadal, who will face Flavio Cobolli in his opening match. “It’s a present to be right here. I’ve a sense that it is going to be my final time right here and I wish to take pleasure in it.”
Nadal, a 12-time champion in Barcelona, had hip surgical procedure final summer season and this 12 months has performed solely three aggressive matches, all in Brisbane earlier than skipping the Australian Open.
“I’m prepared sufficient to play,” Nadal stated. “It’s what it’s proper now. I’ve to maintain going daily.”
The Spaniard stated he was in a novel state of affairs after “two powerful years” of accidents and felt he can nonetheless “be aggressive.”
The 37-year-old Nadal pulled out of final week’s Monte Carlo Masters earlier than it began due to a lingering harm, saying “ my physique merely gained’t enable me.”
In early March, the 22-time Grand Slam champion performed an exhibition match towards Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas however days later pulled out of the Indian Wells event.
Nadal is a 14-time winner on the French Open which doesn’t start till Could 25.
Alcaraz gained’t play in Barcelona due to an harm. Stefanos Tsitsipas, who defeated Jannik Sinner within the Monte Carlo remaining, has entered Barcelona.
