Why Rafael Nadal should not be too worried despite Barcelona Open loss on comeback
Rafael Nadal's comeback at the Barcelona Open was cut short by Alex De Minaur in the second round. The Australian defeated him in one hour and 52 minutes, with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-1.
Nadal made a stunning return to tennis this year in the Brisbane International, rolling back the years with his scintillating performances against Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in the first two rounds, but eventually came up short against Jordan Thomspon in the quarterfinals.
Three months later, the Spaniard returned to the Barcelona Open and made his second appearance on tour in 2024. He began his campaign by cruising past Flavio Cobolli in straight sets, but couldn't make his mark against Alex De Minaur in the second round as De Minaur defeated him in straight sets and became the first Australian to defeat him on clay.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been plagued by injuries in the last two years. He was sidelined for almost 12 months following his short stint in the Australian Open 2023 and even underwent hip surgery to solve his troubles. While Nadal's faithful would have hoped for a different script in Barcelona, it is crucial to acknowledge that the Spaniard is working towards understanding his fitness levels. He played his first match on clay in almost two years and managed to go toe-to-toe with a seasoned campaigner like De Minaur.
Considering his injury record over the last two years, it is only wise that the Spaniard executes his comeback one step at a time and gradually increases his intensity. He will be hoping to understand his body better and hit top gear a week before the French Open.
Considering his recent display in Barcelona, critics and tennis enthusiasts around the globe will be seriously doubting his chances in Paris. Having said that, is there still a silver lining left among the dark clouds?
Nadal's miraculous record in Paris speaks for itself and he has shown in the past that he can up the ante when required. Despite having a mediocre build-up to the clay court Major, the Spaniard has clinched the French Open trophy on multiple occasions. In 2022, he entered Paris on the back of a quarterfinal finish in the Madrid Open and a third-round exit in the Italian Open. In 2020, he only participated in the Italian Open and reached the last eight before entering the clay court Major. On both occasions, Nadal was able to raise his level to capture the French Open crown.
The Spaniard also has a mind-boggling 97% win percentage at the French Open. He may be on the back foot at the moment but will be aware of the levels he can produce in the upcoming weeks. He is a master of mind games when it comes to undermining his potential and will add a layer of uncertainty among the critics.
"We are going to do things in the most logical way possible"- Rafael Nadal on managing his comeback and preparations for the French Open 2024
Former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has wished to take things slow after making a comeback in the Barcelona Open this week.
Nadal returned to the men's tour after three months at the Barcelona Open 2024. He outclassed Flavio Cobolli in the first round before losing against Alex De Minaur in the second.
Amidst constant injury troubles, the Spaniard reflected on his return and highlighted that it was important to judge his fitness levels and take things one step at a time.
"Until the week is over, the important thing is that nothing happens. Even if it is difficult, it is not the week to push everything my heart tells me. We are going to do things in the most logical way possible," Nadal said (via Marca).
The 12-time Barcelona Open champion also looked back at his second-round loss against Alex De Minaur and hinted at raising his level and going all out for the French Open in Paris.
"It wasn't today that I had to leave everything and die, in Paris, let it be what God wants. There I hope to be competitive and there is the moment. I have had the opportunity to say goodbye to Godó by playing," he added.
Nadal is expected to feature in the Madrid Open next. The Masters 1000 event begins on April 22, 2024.