Rafael Nadal falls to Alex de Minaur in the Barcelona second-round match.
Spain’s BARCELONA –At the clay-court Barcelona Open on Wednesday, Rafael Nadal’s first event since January came to an end after just two matches. The Spaniard lost to Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-1.
In the second-round match, Nadal, who had been sidelined due to injury, briefly displayed signs of his former self, but he was unable to maintain pace with de Minaur, who is ranked 11th.
In his first competitive match in almost three months, the 22-time Grand Slam champion easily dispatched 62nd-ranked Flavio Cobolli in straight sets on Tuesday in the first round.
On Wednesday, Nadal appeared injury-free once more, but he was never in control against the highly skilled de Minaur, who won their second match against Nadal in his career.In the Barcelona Open, which he has won a record 12 times, it was only Nadal’s fifth loss.
He hasn’t played since an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in March, and he is making a comeback after yet another injury layoff. Nadal missed the Australian Open and had only played three competitive matches this year, all of which were in Brisbane in January prior to this week.
Additionally, he pulled out of Monte Carlo, claiming his body wasn’t prepared. The 37-year-old Rafael Nadal has won the French Open 14 times. It starts next month.Whether he will participate in the forthcoming Madrid Open is yet unknown.Nadal stated that 2024 will likely be his final year of touring after undergoing hip surgery last summer.Agut Bautista’s 400th
After a comeback, Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Andrea Vavassori 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to secure his 400th career victory at the tour level.35-year-old Spanish player Bautista Agut is the 13th player currently competing who has at least 400 ATP Tour victories.
It’s just a number to me, he stated. What matters is that I’ve produced excellent work over the years, had a reliable career, and am happy with my profession.Before the French Open, Coco Gauff is keen to break the clay-court drought.
Coco Gauff, ranked third in the world, expressed excitement ahead of the clay-court season as she looks to win her maiden French Open title. However, the American stated that her immediate goal is to break through her trophy drought on the surface in the upcoming weeks.
The last clay-court victory for Gauff came at the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021, one year prior to losing to Iga Swiatek in the Roland Garros final. Before the year’s second Grand Slam, the 20-year-old Gauff will have several opportunities to secure a breakthrough victory, beginning this week with Stuttgart and continuing through competitions in Madrid and Rome.
Everyone knows Rafael’s abilities Will Nadal be able to regain his best form in time for the French Open?I’m pretty optimistic about the clay season this year, Gauff told reporters prior to her Wednesday second-round match against fellow American Sachica Vickery. Obviously, winning the French Open is the aim, but every elite player has it as their season-long objective. You should aim to win the major competitions.
However, I’m not now watching the French Open. My attention is on Stuttgart. I would like to try to win here, in Madrid or in Rome. All I want to do is get my hands on a recent clay title. Therefore, any of the ones in the upcoming weeks would be pleasant.
In an attempt to win a second Grand Slam title, the US Open winner has enlisted former coach Jean-Christophe Faurel on her staff in addition to Brad Gilbert. With Faurel at her side, Gauff has demonstrated strong clay-court performance, most notably taking home the 2018 Roland Garros junior title.
Gauff said, It’s wonderful to have someone on my team who has known me since I was little and knows me well. The French coach and Gauff parted ways in 2020. Thus, I’m ecstatic to have him rejoin the team.On May 26, the French Open main draw will start. Last year, Gauff made it to the quarterfinals.
