Rafael Nadal drawn against Flavio Cobolli in Barcelona - but Spaniard yet to declare if he is fully fit
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Published 13/04/2024 at 21:24 GMT
The return of Rafael Nadal to competitive action has been long-awaited, with the veteran Spaniard seeking to overcome injuries and come back to the ATP Tour. It looks as if Nadal might make a tilt at the title in Barcelona after he was named in the draw - but although he has been drawn against Flavio Cobolli in the first round, there is still a chance he might not be fit to play.
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Rafael Nadal has been included in the draw at the Barcelona Open, with the veteran Spaniard set to play Flavio Cobolli in his first clay-court match of the season - if he declares himself fit to compete.
Nadal had not yet confirmed whether he has recovered sufficiently to take part in Barcelona, the ATP 500 tournament getting underway on Monday with Carlos Alcaraz as the top seed.
After the best part of a year out with a hip injury, Nadal initially returned - for what is widely expected to be his farewell year - in Brisbane in January, only for his injury woes to continue, the Spaniard managing just three matches before micro-tearing a muscle.
It was then widely expected that he would make his comeback on the clay, only for Nadal to announce late in the day that he would not be taking part in Monte Carlo this week, a tournament where he has enjoyed tremendous success across his career and where he traditionally starts his clay season.
Barcelona is the next destination on the clay swing as momentum starts to build towards Roland-Garros, with Madrid and Rome following. It is also a home event for the Spaniard who has won there an incredible 12 times.
The French Open is looming large in the calendar now, and Nadal is in desperate need of match fitness if he is to go to Paris in anything resembling competitive form.
If he is fit to compete in Barcelona, he will start against the Cobolli, the Italian who is ranked 63 in the world. Win that, and the in-form Alex de Minaur awaits in round two, the Australian getting a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed.
“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,” Nadal said.
“[Real Club] Tenis Barcelona is my club, I’m really enjoying being here for a few days.
“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 and to congratulate David [Ferrer] and the entire organisation because they’re doing amazing work. The tournament has some incredible players and, as always, the organisation is impeccable.”
Should Nadal play and win, then he is on the same side of the draw as Alcaraz, who is himself returning from injury, having pulled out of Monte Carlo with an injured right arm.
Those two meeting on clay in a competitive match is a mouthwatering prospect, but one that at the moment remains subject to both players declaring themselves fully fit on the eve of the tournament.
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