17:34
Nadal offers himself a shutout (5-2)
Flavio Cobolli fails to put Rafael Nadal in difficulty. If we have been playing for 37 minutes under high temperatures in Barcelona, the Spaniard has mastered his subject well for his return to competition. 5-2 for Nadal in this first set.
17:30
Nadal misses four double break points (4-2)
If Rafael Nadal still obtained several double break points, Flavio Cobolli held on to avoid seeing the Spaniard break away in this first set.
Despite four opportunities to take a double advantage, ‘Rafa’ failed to finish. 4-2 in this match.
17:19
Nadal continues with a solid game (4-1)
A little stronger than usual on a physical level, Rafael Nadal remains very mobile on the court. With a good first ball, the Spaniard confirms his break and now leads four games to one in this first set.
17:15
Break in favor of Nadal (3-1)
Drop shot, rise to the net, powerful forehand… Rafael Nadal seems in good shape and gets three break points.
If Flavio Cobolli saved the first two with nice winning points, the third was the right one for the former world number one. ‘Rafa’ leads 3-1
17:07
Nadal keeps his hand (2-1)
Once once more, Rafael Nadal was solid on his throw. For the moment the physique is holding up.
17:03
Cobolli returns to level with Nadal (1-1)
If Nadal won the first point on Cobolli’s serve, the Italian then tightened the game to equalize at one game all.
17:00
First game won by Nadal (1-0)
After losing the first two points of the match, Rafael Nadal opened his counter.
If his first ball was not always there, the Spaniard then firmly won his throw.
16:56
Let’s go !
And it starts with a serve in the net… Time to find the automatisms.
The first point of the match is for Cobolli.
16:49
Nadal will serve in premier
Rafael Nadal won the coin toss and decided to serve first.
Time for the warm-up between him and Flavio Cobolli. This time it’s done, ‘Rafa’ will play once more.
16:47
The public standing to welcome Nadal
The stands are full for what should be the last edition of the Barcelona tournament contested by Rafael Nadal.
As he entered the court, the crowd stood and cheered the 37-year-old.
16:45
Nadal enters the court… Nadal
Legend of tennis and Spanish sport, Rafael Nadal makes his debut on the court of the Barcelona tournament.
A field renamed in his honor a few years ago, he who won the Barcelona tournament 12 times.
16:44
Three official matches in 2024 for Nadal
Hoped for but ultimately forfeited in Monte-Carlo, Rafael Nadal will return to competition this Tuesday. After an almost blank year in 2023, the 37-year-old Spaniard wanted to shine in 2024.
After two victories in Brisbane in January, ‘Rafa’ finally lost his third match during the Australian tournament. Worse, he was then forced to withdraw from the Australian Open.
Since then, almost nothing for Radael Nadal who only played (and lost) an exhibition match once morest Carlos Alcaraz at the beginning of March.
16:39
A big challenge for Nadal’s return
A few weeks before Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal will not have an easy task this Tuesday for his return to competition. Facing the Majorcan, who has fallen to 644th in the world, stands the Italian Flavio Cobolli, currently 62nd in the world.
A match to follow in this live commentary on the RMC Sport website and application.
16:38
Hello everyone,
Don’t miss Rafael Nadal’s return to competition during the Barcelona tournament.
After several months of absence, the 37-year-old Spaniard will return to competition on clay. Good news for those who still dream of playing in the next Roland-Garros tournament in Paris from May 20 to June 9.