BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s first tournament since January lasted only two matches with the Spaniard losing 7-5, 6-1 to Alex de Minaur at the clay-court Barcelona Open on Wednesday.
Nadal, back from an injury layoff, looked like his old self for brief moments in the second-round match but couldn’t keep up with the 11th-ranked De Minaur.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had comfortably defeated 62nd-ranked Flavio Cobolli in straight sets in the first round on Tuesday in what was his first competitive match in more than three months.
Nadal again looked injury-free on Wednesday but was never in control against the in-form De Minaur, who picked up his second career win over Nadal.
It was only his fifth defeat at the Barcelona Open, a tournament he has won a record 12 times.
Nadal is returning from yet another injury layoff and hadn’t played since an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in March. Before this week, he had played only three competitive matches this year — all in Brisbane in January — before skipping the Australian Open.
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Meet TikTok's NEWEST queen bee Leah Halton: Stunning Australian model, 23, is set to become the most
Workers at Mercedes factories near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to vote in May on United Auto Workers union
Justice Department ramps up efforts to reduce violent crime with gun intel center
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are OVERPAID at $75k
New York man pleads guilty to sending threats to state attorney general and Trump civil case judge
Prince Harry confirms he is now a US resident
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Caitlin Clark mobbed by fans at introductory Indiana Fever press conference
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
Meet TikTok's NEWEST queen bee Leah Halton: Stunning Australian model, 23, is set to become the most