Returning Rafael Nadal wants to enjoy comeback 'gift' in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal said returning to competitive tennis 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 Spaniard has not played an ATP Tour match since January, when a hip injury flared up at the Brisbane International . It ruled him out of the Australian Open and all tennis action since.

The 22-time Gramd Slam champion, who missed virtually all of the 2023 season, will face Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday in the first round on the centre-court in Barcelona which bears his own name.

The 37-year-old withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters in April and is hoping to compete at Roland Garros in May, where he is a record 14-time champion.

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“More than lamenting where I wasn’t able to be, I prefer to be happy that I am here,” Nadal told a news conference.

“On a personal level it is a gift for me to be in Barcelona. I’m taking this as my last year and I want to enjoy every moment.”

Nadal, who has triumphed 12 times at the Barcelona Open, has not played a match on clay since lifting the French Open trophy in 2022.

Despite viewing 2024 as his swansong year, the veteran said he was not setting any deadline for retirement.

“We’ll keep going forward until I have the feeling that it’s not worth it,” continued Nadal.

“I’m not putting a deadline on that, but as I’ve said, in the end life marks your path for you.”

The Barcelona Open draw had put Nadal on a collision course with Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals but the 20-year-old has since withdrawn because of fitness concerns.

“Let’s hope he recovers well and quickly, it’s bad for the tournament because he’s the top seed,” said Nadal. “I’m not in a position to be thinking about the semi-finals.”