With a crosscourt forehand that forced his opponent to return into the net Rafael Nadal has completed a highly successful return to action.
The 22-time grand slam winner had not been seen on court since making a brief comeback in Brisbane in January, his only tournament since the Australian Open in January 2023. He had not played on a claycourt since winning the French Open title for the 14th time in June 2022.
But on a court named after himself, and backed by an adoring crowd, he brushed aside Flavio Cobolli 6-2 6-3 in one hour 25 minutes in the opening round of the Barcelona Open.
