The Mallorcan Rafael Nadal will debut in his long-awaited return to the courts, 102 days later, at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-71st Conde de Godó Trophy against the Italian Flavio Cobolli, world number 63, and whom he has never faced. This has been determined by the draw for the main draw that took place this afternoon at the facilities of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899.
In the event that Nadal, who these days has trained at the Godó without being very clear about his participation, overcomes this first round in the second, he would have to face the Australian Alex De Miñaur, a player of greater importance who has had good results in this beginning of the year. Later, in the semifinals, he could meet Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three.
The Murcian, exempt from the initial round as the first favorite, will face the winner of the match between Luca Van Assche and Zhinzhen Zhang on Wednesday, April 17. Carlitos, defender of the crown, would have Borna Coric in a hypothetical second round. Stefanos Tsitsipas is also on his way.
In addition, the team has determined that in a hypothetical quarterfinal, Alcaraz would face Tsitsipas, De Miñaur/Nadal against Humbert, Ruud against Báez and Rublev against Khachanov. A luxury team with clay court specialists and many of the best players in the world.
Nadal practiced and beat a top-10 player like Andrey Rublev 6-1 this Saturday, which speaks of his great preparation. His debut match will be held this Tuesday, 102 days after his last official match in the Brisbane quarterfinals, against the Italian Flavio Cobolli, 63rd in the ATP ranking and with whom he has never played.
Nadal, who has acted as the innocent hand alongside actor Peter Vives, has won the Barcelona tournament twelve times and already played this role in the draw 21 years ago, in his first participation, at just 16 years old, although that time he was accompanied by the Argentine tennis player Gastón Gaudio.
On the other hand, the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell confirmed that the 'wild cards' of this edition will be Roberto Bautista, Albert Ramos, Daniel Rincón and Martín Landaluce, while the guests for the preliminary phase, which will begin this Saturday, will be Nicolás Álvarez , David Jordà, Pol Martín and Max Alcalà.
