Rafael Nadal has admitted that at this stage of his career it gets more difficult every time he makes a comeback after an injury setback as he won his opening 2024 Barcelona Open clash against Flavio Cobolli.
The 37-year-old said that returning from physical problems becomes particularly tough ask at an advance age while claiming that he is just having fun by being able to be present at Barcelona Open.
In his first match since January at the Brisbane Open, Nadal had an easy sailing against Flavio Cobolli as he brushed aside the youngster 6-2, 6-3 in the R64. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had not competed since his quarterfinal loss against Jordan Thompson in the Brisbane Open quarterfinal, having been forced to withdraw from all the upcoming tournaments due to physical setbacks.
The former World No. 1 demonstrated why he hailed as King of Clay during his first match in 700 days. He last played on the red dirt at the 2022 French Open which is 681 days ago and eventually lifted the trophy.
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, the World No. 644 was asked how difficult it had been for him to put himself in a position to participate 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 Mallorcan.
“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.”