Rafael Nadal's Comeback on Clay: Set to Compete in the ATP 500 Barcelona

Rafael Nadal is ready to return to the clay courts. The Spanish champion, who had announced he could not participate in the Montecarlo tournament, will play in the ATP 500 of Barcelona, scheduled from April 15 to 21. Nadal at the ATP 500 in Barcelona: he will face Cobolli. The 37-year-old left-hander has not played a competition for more than three months, due to numerous physical problems. Now he is ready to return to the surface he loves the most where he will face the Italian Flavio Cobolli in the first round (match scheduled for Tuesday, April 16). The Spaniard has won in Barcelona 12 times and now is ready to get back into the game. This was determined by the draw of the Catalan tournament. Nadal boasts 22 Grand Slam titles but, due to the long absence, has dropped to the 646th position in the world ranking. In January 2024, he injured his leg during the Brisbane tournament and then gave a walkover for the Australian Open. Subsequently, he renounced the Doha Masters 1000, Indian Wells, and later Montecarlo, as announced on his social channels. "My body does not allow me", he reiterated. Nadal's last triumph dates back to Roland Garros 2022. The Parisian Grand Slam will take place in just over two months, from May 20 to June 9, and Nadal needs to test his physical condition in a minor tournament. Rafa Nadal said: "I am happy to be here. Barcelona is a place that has brought me a lot of joy". We just have to find out what the real state of form of the legendary Spanish tennis player is.