Barcelona Open: Rafael Nadal makes winning return to clay, hammers Cobolli

Rafael Nadal marked his comeback to the clay court with a resounding victory over Flavio Cobolli, signaling his determination to overcome injury setbacks ahead of the French Open. The 37-year-old legend faced off against the world No.62 in the opening round of the Barcelona Open, clinching a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win in his inaugural clay match since June 2022. This match served as Nadal's return to action since his last appearance at the Brisbane International in January, having been sidelined due to injury, which also caused him to miss the Australian Open. Despite attempts to stage a return to Qatar, California, and Monte-Carlo, the 22-time major champion had to defer as his body wasn't fully prepared.

Marking his return to the clay courts for the first time since clinching his 14th French Open title on June 5, 2022, Nadal's appearance in Barcelona also marked his first official match since January. Amidst months of uncertainty, Nadal's performance in Barcelona offered valuable insight into the state of his game and physical condition as he eyes a return to the French Open next month. It was fascinating to witness Nadal's form against the 62nd-ranked Cobolli, who has limited experience in Grand Slam main draws. Nadal, a remarkable 12-time champion in Barcelona, stepped onto the clay court for his first match in 681 days, dating back to his victory in the 2022 French Open final.

The anticipation was palpable as a capacity crowd eagerly awaited Nadal's appearance on the court bearing his name. The atmosphere was electric, with ball kids and tournament staff lining the gangway. Nadal was greeted with thunderous applause and a near-standing ovation, while his customary pre-match rituals-aligning his water bottles, box jumps, and sprinting to the baseline-were met with enthusiasm. Nadal, acknowledging that 2024 may mark his farewell from tennis, has returned to compete in Roland Garros for the final time. The Spaniard, renowned as the 'King of Clay', boasts an unparalleled record at the French Open, having clinched a remarkable 14 men's singles titles, cementing his status as the most successful player in the tournament's history.