Rafael Nadal’s comeback ends in second round at Barcelona Open | Tennis News

Rafael Nadal lost 7-5, 6-1 to Alex De Minaur in the second round of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday in his first match back to tennis after suffering an injury Lose. The 22-time Grand Slam champion returned to action this week after a three-month absence and performed well before losing to the hard-working world number 11 Australian. Nadal, 37, has missed almost the entire 2023 season and hopes to compete in May’s French Open, where he is a record 14-time champion.

“Personally, for what’s to come, 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” said Nadal, who explained that he didn’t want to push himself too hard.

“That’s the way I needed to keep going today to give me a chance at Roland Garros,” he added.

“I will try to go one step further in Madrid, then in Rome, and if in any tournament it is worth giving everything and sacrificing, it will be in Paris.”

The Spaniard, a 12-time Barcelona clay-court champion, easily beat Flavio Coboli in his first ATP Tour match since January on Tuesday but said he did not enjoy playing against De Minaur , De Minaur has now won his last two matches against the former world number one.

It proved to be a more difficult challenge and although Nadal displayed his highest qualities on the court that bears his name, he considered it to be his last appearance at the tournament.

The Australian broke serve in the first set and tested Nadal with a series of brilliant little shots that Nadal could not match.

However, Nadal fought back with a break of his own in the sixth game and cemented his lead with a fizzing backhand to take a 4-3 lead.

De Minaur broke to lead 6-5, Nadal went wide and sealed the first set when the Spaniard fired the ball into the net, winning the final 10 points as Nadal began to struggle.

The 25-year-old Australian led 2-1 in the second set, but Nadal was unable to return a powerful pass and broke serve again at 4-1.

De Minaur ended his strong second set with his third break of serve when Nadal hit a long ball.

Nadal said it marked his “realistic” last appearance at the tournament he loves.

“It means a lot to me that I got the chance to say goodbye on the pitch,” he added.

“A week ago I thought I wouldn’t be able to compete in this event anymore and that would be painful, but at least I competed and now it’s time to move on.”

Monte Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Sebastian Ofner in the second round later on Wednesday.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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