Spain’s Rafael Nadal in motion. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Rafael Nadal will make his return to ATP competitors for the primary time since January when he performs Flavio Cobolli in the Barcelona Open next 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 in the Brisbane Open.
Nadal, who turns 38 in June, might be in search of a problem-free return as he builds in direction of looking for a record-extending fifteenth French Open title — it runs from May 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 due to a proper arm damage.
Unlike Nadal, who has a wild card invite, the two-time defending Barcelona champion will get a primary spherical bye due to being seeded.
Nadal was smiling when he appeared at Saturday’s press convention alongside the organisers and seeing his title in 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 job of Australian Alex De Minaur in the second spherical.
There is 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 in the event.
A video was launched early afternoon exhibiting Nadal coaching, seemingly transferring with ease and inflicting a 6-1 thrashing on Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
Nadal missed nearly all the 2023 season by way of damage and has solely performed on the Brisbane International 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 meant to make his comeback.
His one look since Brisbane got here in an exhibition match towards Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March the place observers famous some discomfort in his again.
With this doubtlessly Nadal’s final yr on tour, he might be determined not to miss any extra clay court docket preparation time for the French Open.
