RAFAEL NADAL MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN FROM INJURY AT BARCELONA OPEN

Rafael Nadal Makes Triumphant Return at Barcelona Open

NEW DELHI: The tennis world was treated to a masterclass on Tuesday as Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return from injury at the Barcelona Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion showcased his dominance by swiftly dispatching Flavio Cobolli in a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory, marking his first ATP Tour match since January.

Nadal, aged 37, relished the opportunity to compete on clay for the first time since his French Open win in 2022. Despite the hiatus, he displayed glimpses of his customary brilliance, hinting at his enduring prowess on the court.

“It was a good start — when you return you can’t get rid of the doubts in one day, above all, on a physical level,” Nadal told TVE. “Within what it could be, it was a good first round. He made mistakes and I think I played the game that I had to play.”

The clay court maestro, with a record 14 triumphs at Roland Garros, is eagerly anticipating his potential participation in May’s event, which he anticipates will mark the concluding chapter of his illustrious professional career. Nadal is set to take on Alex de Minaur on Wednesday following his effortless victory over Cobolli.

Despite facing an initial deficit, Nadal quickly regained his composure and found his rhythm on the court, capitalizing on the support from the crowd in the stadium named in his honor. He seized control of the match and eventually secured the victory in impressive fashion.

Nadal’s performance on serve may have lacked explosive power, but it was effective enough to outmaneuver his opponent and claim the win. As he continues his comeback journey, fans can expect to witness more thrilling performances from the legendary Spaniard.