Barcelona, Spain – Rafael Nadal’s highly anticipated return to competitive tennis after a lengthy hiatus proved short-lived as he bowed out in the second round of the Barcelona Open, falling 7-5, 6-1 to Australia’s Alex de Minaur on the clay courts.
Making his first appearance since January due to injury, Nadal showed glimpses of his trademark form but struggled to match the pace set by the 11th-ranked De Minaur throughout the match.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion comfortably dispatched Flavio Cobolli in straight sets in the opening round, marking his first competitive outing in over three months. However, against an in-form De Minaur, Nadal failed to assert control, succumbing to only his fifth defeat in the history of the Barcelona Open, a tournament he has dominated with a record 12 titles.
Nadal’s return to the circuit follows a series of injury setbacks, with his last competitive match preceding this event being an exhibition encounter against Carlos Alcaraz in March. Prior to the Barcelona Open, the Spanish icon had participated in just three competitive matches earlier in the year, all in Brisbane, before withdrawing from the Australian Open.
Further complicating his comeback bid, Nadal had withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters, citing insufficient readiness of his body. As the French Open looms on the horizon next month, uncertainties persist regarding Nadal’s participation in the upcoming Madrid Open.
At 37 years old, Nadal has been candid about his ongoing battle with injuries, undergoing hip surgery last summer and hinting that 2024 might be his final year on the tour.
