Return to competition with victory for Nadal
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Rafael Nadal triumphed this Tuesday in the first round of the Barcelona tournament, which he has already won 12 times. Upon his return to the courts after a three-month absence, the Spanish tennis player prevailed over the Italian Flavio Cobolli.
The Mallorcan player has not won a match on clay since June 5, 2022, when he won his 14th title at Roland Garros, defeating Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final, in three sets.
Nadal has not played an official match since the Brisbane tournament in early January, when he returned to the circuit after a year’s absence due to injury.
This Tuesday, the winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments, currently 644th in the ATP rankings, defeated the Transalpine (62nd), 6-2 and 6-3 in one hour and 25 minutes.
In the next round, the opponent will be Australian Alex De Minaur, fourth seed in the Catalan tournament.
Nadal, 37 years old, could have returned to competition last week, at the Masters 1,000 in Monte Carlo, but ended up withdrawing due to physical problems.
With about a month left before the start of Roland Garros, Nadal appears on the pre-registered list, as his ranking is protected.
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