Returning Nadal wants to enjoy comeback ‘gift’

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal yesterday said, returning to action at the Barcelona Open is a “gift” and he wants to enjoy every moment of what he expects to be the last year of his career.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner has not played an ATP Tour match since January, when he felt a hip injury flare up at the Brisbane International.

Nadal, who missed virtually all of the 2023 season, will face Italian Flavio Cobolli today in the first round on the centre-court in Barcelona which bears his own name.

Nadal, the record 12-time Barcelona Open winner, has not played a match on clay since winning Roland Garros in 2022.