Rafael Nadal’s first tournament since January lasted only two matches with the Spaniard losing 7-5, 6-1 to Alex de Minaur at the clay-court Barcelona Open
Rafael Nadal returned to the tennis court Tuesday in blistering fashion, beating Italian Flavio Cobolli in straight sets, 6-2 6-3, in the first round of the Barcelona Open.
It is not often that Rafael Nadal takes a beatdown on clay and declares himself delighted with the whole experience. But then Nadal was hardly in a typical situation in Barcelona this week, having returned to the red-brick courts after 681 days away.
King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal falls to straight-sets defeat by world No 11 Alex de Minaur at Barcelona Open, which is one of Spaniard’s happiest hunting grounds
Rafael Nadal said the upcoming French Open will be the moment to "give everything and die" on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat on his return to tennis after injury as he fell 7-5, 6-1 against Alex de Minaur on Wednesday in the Barcelona Open second round.