Rafael Nadal serves up confession about making injury comebacks after Barcelona return
Rafael Nadal has admitted it gets “more difficult” every time he makes a comeback from injury after his long-awaited return at the 2024 Barcelona Open.
The 22-time major champion highlighted the fact returning from physical setbacks is especially tough at an “advanced age”, while expressing he is “just having fun” by being back in Barcelona.
Nadal cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Flavio Cobolli in the opening round of the Barcelona Open on Tuesday in his first match since January.
The 37-year-old had not competed since his quarter-final defeat to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane in January, having been forced to withdraw from four tournaments since then due to injury problems.
The ‘King of Clay’ was remarkably playing a match on his favourite surface for the first time since winning his most recent Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open — 681 days ago.
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Following his triumph, Nadal wrote on Instagram: “Very happy to be competing again and also on a court and tournament special to me where so many important moments of my career I have lived. Thank you all for the support.”
In an on-court interview, Nadal was asked how difficult it had been for him to put himself in a position to make his return in Barcelona.
“Honestly, you can’t imagine, no? (laughs). But, it’s not the moment to talk about that. It’s a moment to just enjoy the possibility again that I am having to play again here one more time in Barcelona,” said the Spaniard.
“This is a tournament that I had a lot of success in my tennis career, that I enjoyed unforgettable moments. So, just having fun and happy to start with a victory, without a doubt.
“I tried a lot of times in my career [to come back]. It’s true that every time is more difficult, especially when you are in an advanced age. It makes the thing even tougher, no?
“I am going through tough moments but, at the same time, when I am able to be on the tour for a few days and practice with the guys and then to compete a little bit, [it] means a lot to me and still enough enjoyable to keep doing it.”
