Nadal’s second round match.
Rafael Nadal (644th place, Spain) was eliminated in the second round of the singles at the Men’s Professional Tennis (ATP) Tour Barcelona Open (total prize money of 2,782,960 euros).
Nadal lost 0-2 (5-7 1-6) to Alex Diminor (11th place, Australia) in the round of 32 singles on the third day of the tournament held in Barcelona, Spain on the 18th (Korean time).
Nadal, who made his comeback about three months after the ATP Tour Brisbane International in January of this year, defeated Flavio Covoli (62nd, Italy) 2-0 (6-2 6-3) in the first round the day before, but advanced to the round of 16. failed.
Nadal was unable to compete for a year after the Australian Open in January last year due to back and hip injuries, and made his comeback in Australia in January this year, but the injury occurred again and he had to rest for three more months.
The Barcelona Open is a tournament that Nadal has won 12 times between 2005 and 2021, and the main court is also named ‘Pista Rafa Nadal’.
Nadal, who is likely to retire at the end of this season, said, “I think today’s match will probably be the last time I play here,” and added, “I never imagined I would win 12 times.”
Nadal expressed his feelings, saying, “I am not in good physical condition yet to play for three hours, so today’s match is essentially over after giving up the first set.” He added, “I want to play with everything I have at the French Open in May.”
Nadal is scheduled to participate in the ATP Tour Madrid Open (total prize money of 7,877,020 euros), which opens on the 24th. 섯다