Rafael Nadal Victorious In 1st Clay Court Match In 681 Days

Rafael Nadal hit a down-the-line forehand winner from about 10 ft behind the baseline, leaving his opponent shocked.

The shot occurred within the second sport of the second set of his first match on a clay courtroom in 681 days and evoked photos of Nadal in his prime.

The 37-year-old Spanish tennis legend prevailed over Italian Flavio Cobolli, 6-2, 6-3, in his first match of the Barcelona Open and his first on clay since successful a 14th Roland Garros title on June 5, 2022. He has gained the Barcelona title 12 occasions and the principle courtroom there may be named after him.

It was Nadal’s 481st profession victory on clay, third-most all time, and set him as much as subsequent face No. 4 seed Alex De Minaur. Nadal improved to 67-4 at Barcelona, the place he has reached the semis or higher in 13 of 16 appearances.

“I’m simply attempting to get pleasure from each second now,” Nadal, ranked 644th on the planet regardless of successful 22 Grand Slam titles, mentioned forward of his first match. “I used to be not in a position to spend so much of days on the tour the final three years so simply attempting to get pleasure from daily that I’m able to play with the blokes and at knowledgeable stage. Meaning loads to me.”

Nadal final performed on March 3 in an exhibition loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas and appeared wholesome regardless of a left hip harm that pressured him to withdraw from Brisbane after three matches after which miss the Australian Open.

He then withdrew from Doha and Indian Wells

He has performed a complete of 12 official matches for the reason that 2022 U.S. Open.

“The day after Roland Garros I’ve been on crutches, in order that’s the reality,” Nadal mentioned, referring to a foot harm that required numbing injections on the nerve in his foot.

He added that he has handled “a whole lot of points and difficulties” through the years.

“That’s a part of life,” he mentioned.

Cobolli got here in ranked 62nd on the planet with victories over Yoshihito Nishioka. Gael Monfils and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

However he discovered himself overwhelmed by Spanish legend and the pro-Nadal crowd, and dedicated 41 unforced errors.

Nadal displayed a brand new serve that emphasizes his left arm extra and his belly muscle tissue much less. It was not overpowering however efficient nonetheless.

He confirmed a willingness to be offensive and his two-handed backhand regarded good.

Requested what success this week would appear to be for Nadal, Paul Annacone mentioned on Tennis Channel: “I believe getting by the event unhurt, whether or not is’ one match or 4, that to me is success. Hopefully and feeling higher as you play.

“Each match you win is a big bonus, however getting by and attending to the tip of the event.”