mtenis.com.pl

Record 12-time champion fell to De Minaur in likely last appearance at ATP 500
April 17, 2024
Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after his second-round defeat to Alex de Minaur on Wednesday in Barcelona.Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after his second-round defeat to Alex de Minaur on Wednesday in Barcelona.
By ATP Staff
It was a bittersweet goodbye for Rafael Nadal on Wednesday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Yet it was a goodbye, nonetheless.

The Spaniard had been unsure whether he would be ready to compete this week at the ATP 500, but he ultimately took to court and won a match before falling to Alex de Minaur. While a player who is a record 12-time champion in Barcelona was never likely to be wholly satisfied with a second-round exit, Nadal was happy he had the chance to say farewell to the event in what he has hinted will be the final season of his ATP Tour career.

“At least, how things went, for me I had the chance to say goodbye here on court,” said Nadal after his loss to De Minaur. “That means a lot to me, because I probably felt one week ago that I was not able to play in this event. That would have been painful, so at least I played, I enjoyed the game, and now is the moment to keep going.”


Although he was unable to maintain full intensity on court in every moment of his first ATP Tour event since January, Nadal was pleased with how he matched De Minaur at times during the pair’s fifth Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. The Spaniard showed flashes of his old self in reclaiming a break in the first set, but the current No. 11 in the PIF ATP Rankings De Minaur proved too strong.

“Alex is a great player. In terms of tennis today, he was in better shape than me,” said Nadal. “He has really played at a very high level since the beginning of the season. I think he has made a very important step forward in his level of tennis. I’m just happy for him and I congratulate him for the level he played today.

“I didn’t practise a lot, so that [performance] encourages me to keep going. It tells me that, if I’m able to spend days on the Tour and keep practising with the players, I really hope and believe that I can keep being competitive. If my body allows me to push the way that I need.”

You May Also Like: De Minaur ends Nadal’s Barcelona return
Nadal may not have been able to raise his best in Barcelona but, in terms of his comeback, he is positive about the impact of his first-round win against Flavio Cobolli and the De Minaur loss.

“I feel much more comfortable and happier today than one week and a half ago,” he said. “I was able to manage to play two matches, played against a great player. I was not very far [away], without a doubt. I feel myself, if I am able to keep practising days on the Tour, and my body allows me to spend hours on court and have practices the way that I need.

“I hope to be competitive. I hope and believe I can be competitive in a few weeks,” said the Spaniard. “That’s the way that I need to proceed today, and to give me a chance to be ready at least to compete at Roland Garros.”

Spaniard looks ahead to clay swing
April 20, 2024
Rafael Nadal made his return in Barcelona.Getty Images
Rafael Nadal made his return in Barcelona.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff
Rafael Nadal has accepted that the clock is ticking on his ATP Tour career. All things must come to an end. The sands of time stop for no man. However, the Spaniard does have one last wish for his glittering career; to be able to grow his legacy even further on the professional circuit and sign out in style on court at the venues where his legend looms largest.

One of those stages, where his name has so often been etched into the trophy, is the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. He has donned the crown in the city 12 times.

“I think I’ve been lucky to have an amazing record at this tournament. I suppose others will arrive and they may surpass it. I have the peace of mind of knowing that I always gave my all. I’m aware that everything has a beginning and an end. It’s nothing to worry about. It’s normal to be a bit sadder if you won’t be able to play at professional level at this tournament again,” he explained openly after bowing out to Alex de Minaur in the second round.

After 103 days without competing, every step is a giant leap. Never was this truer than in Barcelona, a tournament where he was back on clay 681 days after his last match on the surface. His participation in the tournament yielded one win – over Flavio Cobolli – and one defeat – against De Minaur.

“Life is laying out a very clear path for me. I played this tournament as if it were my last Godo,” he said without hesitation. “To me it’s been amazing to be able to play. One week ago I thought it wouldn’t be possible. I’ve played two matches. On a personal level, I’d say I leave feeling reenergised. Even though I lost 6-1 in the second set in the way that I lost, that’s what had to happen today. I leave here convinced that I’ve taken a step forward, and we’ll see what happens.”

The Official App Of Tennis | Download ATP WTA Live App

Since he arrived in Barcelona last Wednesday, Nadal did everything in his power to be able to at least be on court for round one.

“At this point, the main thing is not winning, it’s leaving the tournament fit, more than anything else. That’s what has happened,” he stated.

“Of course, sometimes it’s difficult to play when you know maybe you’re not going to be able to battle all match. In a few weeks that may be the case. But today, after everything I’ve been through over the last few months, it’s not time for heroics. This is a time to be realistic, to look for answers with as much caution and logic as possible. That’s the reality. Once I lost the first set, the match was over.”

Nadal’s words contain hints of the natural disappointment of defeat, caution at what the near future might hold and a certain optimism, fitness permitting, with a view to the upcoming events, the next being the Mutua Madrid Open.

“I have to behave in Madrid according to how I feel. If I can do a week of practice sessions in Madrid with quality players, if I can play sets every day, if my body gets used to that level of competition and I feel I’m ready, then I’ll be able to progress,” he explained.

“If my body can cope with the progressive load, it’ll help me week after week to be able to try and demand more. I hope so. But that’s the reality. The logical thing would be to take it progressively, to try and take one more step in Madrid. Not in terms of matches, because that depends on the competition. I’ve played very little. But in terms of being able to fight for it a little more in Madrid, then more still in Rome. In Paris, then it’s in the lap of the gods. If I’m going to give it a shot, that would be the time to do it. Whatever happens, that is the place,” he admitted of his intentions for the future.

The path is set out before him, only destiny will decide how far he can go. But if one thing is certain, it’s that Nadal can never be accused of not trying to stay on his feet until the very end.

Spaniard set for fourth appearance at event
April 22, 2024
Rafael Nadal will represent Team Europe at this year's Laver Cup.Getty Images
Rafael Nadal will represent Team Europe at this year's Laver Cup.
By Press Release
Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal will join Team Europe later this year for the seventh edition of the Laver Cup, to be held at Uber Arena in Berlin from September 20-22.

Nadal will team up with fellow Spaniard and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, World No. 4 Daniil Medvedev and World No. 5 Alexander Zverev as Team Europe bid to win back the Laver Cup under the watchful eye of captain Bjorn Borg.

The 22-time Grand Slam Champion, who has hinted that 2024 may be his last year on tour, made his eagerly anticipated return to the ATP Tour last week at the Barcelona Open.

Berlin will be Nadal’s fourth Laver Cup appearance, having competed in Prague in 2017, Geneva in 2019 and then alongside close friend and long-time rival Roger Federer in doubles, for the last match of Federer’s career at The O2 in London in 2022.

“I am very happy to be playing Laver Cup in Berlin for Team Europe,” said Nadal. “I have some really special memories from my Laver Cup experiences, including all the emotions from London two years ago playing alongside Roger for the last time.

“At this stage in my career I really want to go out there and make the most of every opportunity I am given. Teaming up is always an incredible experience and I have always enjoyed it, the competition is different and exciting. I’m looking forward to going to Berlin and helping Team Europe win back the Laver Cup.”

The Official App Of Tennis | Download ATP WTA Live App

Borg is delighted to have Nadal join as one of his “Captains Picks” as he puts together his six-man roster for the final time this year.

“Rafa is an absolute legend in our sport, a true champion in every sense of the word,” said Borg. “It’s my last year as Captain. Having him on Team Europe this year was a goal of mine and I’m thrilled he has accepted my invitation and will be with us in Berlin.”

“He loves playing Laver Cup and is one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen. The aim is to win back the Laver Cup and having Rafa alongside Carlos, Daniil and Sascha is an unbelievable line-up for us so far.”

Team World captain John McEnroe announced the first three players to his roster earlier this month – Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur and Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. All three were part of Team World’s historic first Laver Cup victory in London. Fritz and Paul were also part of the victorious team last year in Vancouver.

This will be the final year that Borg and McEnroe will go head-to-head as Laver Cup team captains, having held the roles since the inaugural Laver Cup in 2017 in Prague.



Named in honour of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the Laver Cup is played on a dramatic black court that will be constructed within Uber Arena. The three-day team competition pits six of the best players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the World.

The top three-ranked players for each team earn a guaranteed invitation based on their PIF ATP singles ranking on the Monday after Roland-Garros (June 10, 2024). The remaining three will be Captains’ picks and named any time before the start of the US Open.

Since its inception eight years ago, the Laver Cup has established itself as one of the most prestigious tennis events on the calendar, bringing together top-class tennis and entertainment with premium partners and hospitality offerings to create an unrivalled spectacle for sports fans around the world.

Full Tournament Ticket Packages, providing the same seat for all five sessions of the tournament over three days, and a variety of Multi-Session Ticket Package options, providing the same seat for select sessions of the tournament, are on sale now via the Laver Cup Ticket Shop operated by CTS Eventim at lavercup.com/tickets. Single-Session Tickets for each of the five sessions will go on sale on Friday, May 17 at 10:00AM CET.

Fans are encouraged to register at lavercup.com for the latest ticket information and to access single-session ticket presales.