April 15, (THEWILL) – Rafael Nadal, the iconic 22-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed his participation in this week’s Barcelona Open. The 37-year-old’s return to the court marks his first tournament since January, following a period of injury.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Nadal acknowledged the belated nature of his decision to compete in Barcelona. “I arrived here a bit like in a last-minute decision as I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play”, he stated, emphasising his uncertainty about his readiness for the event.
Despite the late call, Nadal assured fans that he will be on the court on Tuesday, eager to make his mark on the clay court tournament. The former world number one’s last ATP Tour match was in Brisbane, in January, and he was forced to withdraw from last week’s Monte Carlo Masters due to concerns over his body’s preparedness.
Nadal, who has won the Barcelona title a remarkable 12 times, has not competed in the event since 2021. Fans and tennis enthusiasts alike will be closely following his progress as he aims to add to his impressive tally and potentially cement his legacy further.
With the 2024 season potentially being his last, Nadal’s appearance in Barcelona holds added significance. The Spaniard has previously revealed his desire to compete at the French Open, where he has won a record 14 titles, before retiring. This week’s tournament could serve as a crucial stepping stone in his pursuit of one final Roland Garros triumph.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
