BARCELONA – Rafael Nadal said it will be “a joy” to return to action for the first time since January when he takes part in this week’s Barcelona Open, where he is a 12-time champion.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner has played just once since he felt a hip injury flare up during a quarter-final defeat by Jordan Thompson in Brisbane ahead of the Australian Open.
His single appearance since Brisbane came in an exhibition match against fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March, where observers noted some discomfort in his back.
“I’m happy to be here, of course, Barcelona is a place that has brought me a great deal of joy, and where I have spent periods of my life,” said Nadal at the draw ceremony on April 13. He will play 63rd-ranked Flavio Cobolli of Italy in his opening match of the April 15-21 tournament.
Nadal, who turns 38 in June, will be looking for a problem-free return as he builds towards seeking a record-extending 15th French Open title.
The former world No. 1 has seen his ranking slip to 646th after missing all of the 2023 season following the Australian Open.
“Over the last two years I’ve had very few days on tour, so spending days here, seeing people, being able to practise with players is a joy. I’m keen to carry on. The tournament has some incredible players,” added Nadal.
But top seed Alcaraz’s hopes of a third successive Barcelona title have been dashed as he withdrew on April 14 due to a right arm injury, the organisers announced.
The world No. 3, who missed last week’s Monte Carlo Masters, had a bye in the first round before facing either China’s Zhang Zhizhen or Luca van Assche of France.
“Despite having tried until the last moment, he will not be in the Barcelona Open,” read an organisers’ statement.
Nadal has never played Cobolli, 16 years his junior. If he gets past him, he will face the tougher task of 11th-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur in the second round.
But the prospect of a tantalising semi-final meeting with Alcaraz on the centre court which now bears his name is off.
On April 13 afternoon, Nadal trained with sixth-ranked Andrey Rublev of Russia and appeared to move smoothly around the court.
His return will please world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who said last week he is still hoping for a final chapter in his storied rivalry with Nadal.
“As a tennis fan, I want him to play at least one more tournament before he retires.
“For the sake of tennis and Roland Garros in particular, we hope that he can play there. It would be great to have another great encounter,” he told Eurosport. “It has always been important for our sport to have him on the court.”
Alcaraz, meanwhile, dreams of teaming up with Nadal at the Paris Olympics. “I still hope to play with him, the Olympics are four months from now and everything can change. Nadal would be great for me.” AFP, REUTERS
