Rafael Nadal returned to the match court in style, defeating Flavio Cobolli in the first round of the Barcelona Open. The 37-year-old, competing in only his second tournament in 15 months due to a hip muscle injury suffered at his comeback event in Brisbane in January, showcased little signs of rust.
Nadal, who committed to playing at the tournament just days before, dominated the 21-year-old Italian with a commanding 6-2 6-3 victory on clay, marking his first match on the surface since capturing his 14th French Open title in 2022.
The Spaniard received a warm reception from the crowd as he stepped onto the court named in his honor.
Despite a few early loose forehands, Rafael Nadal, a former world number one, demonstrated his trademark solidity throughout the match.
Cobolli, understandably feeling the pressure, struggled with errors, contributing to the one-sided scoreline.
Nadal faced a minor setback when he dropped serve for the first time in the third game of the second set, but his early break against Cobolli ensured he quickly regained control.
The match witnessed glimpses of Nadal’s vintage form, particularly with his powerful forehands, culminating in victory as Cobolli netted a final backhand, prompting Nadal to celebrate with a triumphant fist pump.
