Rafael Nadal trains in Barcelona, but will he play?

Rafael Nadal stepped onto the courtroom that carries his identify in Barcelona! The 12-time champion and residential favourite practiced at one in every of his beloved occasions, testing his physique forward of a giant determination. Rafa continues to be uncertain about his Barcelona Open participation, engaged on his serve after scuffling with an belly harm in latest months.

Nadal has not performed for the reason that opening week of the season, feeling the ache in Brisbane and skipping the Australian Open. The Spaniard needed to withdraw from Doha, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo, coping with belly ache since February and suspending his comeback.

Rafa skilled in entrance of the group with out serving, hitting groundstrokes and dealing on his preliminary shot behind the closed door.

Nadal was sad together with his stage, however all the things is on the desk within the subsequent two days.

The Spaniard is not going to make rush choices after taking part in solely seven matches for the reason that starting of 2023, hoping to compete injury-free at Roland Garros and the Olympic Video games. Rafa will attempt to recuperate by Madrid or Rome if he skips Barcelona, as he appears to be like desperate to play a minimum of some encounters forward of his beloved Main.

Nadal is the last word legend on the Barcelona Open, successful 66 out of 70 matches and lifting 12 trophies from as many finals! Nadal debuted in Barcelona at 16 in 2003, falling to Alex Corretja and returning stronger two years later.

Rafa took down Juan Carlos Ferrero within the 2005 last, beginning his unbelievable reign and lifting 5 consecutive titles by 2009.

Rafael Nadal is coaching in Barcelona forward of subsequent week’s occasion.

Nadal skipped Barcelona in 2010, leaving his rivals to struggle for the trophy earlier than restoring order in 2011, conquering three straight tournaments with out shedding a set!

Rafa skilled losses in 2014 and 2015 after not taking part in at his finest and made one other push between 2016 and 2018, successful all 15 matches in straight units and including 11 Barcelona Open trophies to his wealthy assortment. The house favourite fell to Dominic Thiem within the 2019 quarter-final, struggling his fourth and final loss at his beloved occasion.

Rafa’s most up-to-date marketing campaign got here in 2021 and ended victoriously after a thriller. Nadal prevailed over Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 within the title conflict after three hours and 37 minutes after warding off a match level.

Rafa denied 11 out of 13 break factors, refusing to give up and sustaining his good rating within the title matches. Tsitsipas gave all the things to emerge on the high, losing a match level within the tenth recreation of the decider and ending runner-up after dropping the ultimate three video games of the match.

Ranked exterior the top-600, Nadal must play within the first spherical subsequent week if he decides to enter the draw.

Rafa Nadal practising on Court docket Rafa Nadal! 🤌🇪🇸💥

Good to see.

📸 tutskbooooo IG pic.twitter.com/QItQmDuiTi — Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) April 10, 2024