Rafael Nadal’s comeback at Barcelona Open ended by Alex de Minaur
- Rafael Nadal’s return to the Barcelona Open is halted as Alex de Minaur secures victory, ending the tennis legend’s comeback bid in a thrilling match.
Alex de Minaur put an end to Rafael Nadal’s injury comeback, as the twelve-time champion waved perhaps to the last time at the Barcelona Open.
After a three-month break, Rafael Nadal, 37, made his court debut on Tuesday and easily defeated Italian Flavio Cobolli, 21, in a straight-set victory.
One day later, in the second round, Nadal fell to world no. 11 De Minaur 7-5, 6-1.
22-time major champion Rafael Nadal has stated that he intends to retire in 2024 if he is unable to continue competing on a regular basis.
Due to hip and abdominal problems, the former world number one, who is currently rated 644th, has only participated in five matches since January 2023.
Nadal stated he was saving his energy for Roland Garros during the final parts of the De Minaur match. He hopes to be well enough to return to the French Open, where he won a record 14 men’s singles titles, next month.
“On a personal level, for what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” he stated.
“I didn’t have to give up everything and end my life today. In a few weeks, at the French Open, I have to give myself the opportunity to accomplish it, or at least attempt to.”
It was always going to be a big step up and a more accurate gauge of De Minaur’s level to take on a player of his calibre than his comeback against Cobolli, who was rated 62nd.
Early in the match, the 25-year-old Australian studied Nadal’s movement by employing drop shots. It was a successful strategy that gave him a 2-0 lead and set up another break point for a 3-0 victory.
But Nadal battled back to a 4-3 lead and maintained his composure while raising his game. He produced many spectacular cross-court backhand winners.
Another winner with a backhand, this one down the line, even got De Minaur to clap his strings and set up another break point for Rafael Nadal.
By taking the risk, Nadal would have had to serve out the entire set, but De Minaur rallied to take 19 of the next 24 points and win the match in an opening that lasted over an hour.
Nadal’s endurance was always going to be put to the test after playing on consecutive days and a lengthy layoff, especially against an opponent with a reputation for being extremely athletic.
In a one-sided second set, De Minaur prevailed impressively by playing shrewdly and breaking Nadal’s serve three times, quieting the Barcelona crowd in the process.
A standing ovation and a thunderous send-off greeted Rafael Nadal as he exited the court bearing his name, possibly for the last time.
At the BMW Open in Munich, British men’s number two Jack Draper advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP Tour for the tenth time.
Following a weather delay, Draper, 22, battled back to defeat German world number 179 Rudolf Molleker 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the clay-court match.
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