Rafael Nadal Wins on Injury Comeback at Barcelona Open



Rafael Nadal made light work of Flavio Cobolli on a triumphant return from injury at the Barcelona Open on Tuesday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion had not played an ATP Tour match since January but dispatched the Italian 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 25 minutes to reach the second round.

Nadal, 37, was able to play on clay for the first time since winning the French Open in 2022 and showed flashes of his usual brilliance in a solid display.

“It was a good start — when you return you can’t get rid of the doubts in one day, above all, on a physical level," Nadal told TVE.

“Within what it could be, it was a good first round. He made mistakes and I think I played the game that I had to play."

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