Rafael Nadal is preparing for a potential comeback at a new tournament after withdrawing from the Monte-Carlo Masters due to injury.
Nadal, who hasn’t played since January after sustaining a micro muscle tear, is expected to travel on Wednesday with hopes of returning to the clay courts, where he has enjoyed significant success.
The 37-year-old tennis star has been sidelined from several tournaments this year, including the Australian Open and Indian Wells, due to ongoing abdominal problems, particularly affecting his serve. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about participating in upcoming events, potentially as soon as next week.
SER Deportivos reports that Nadal is planning to participate in the ATP 500 event in Barcelona, scheduled for April 15-21. This tournament could mark his return to competition, especially significant since he last competed there three years ago, winning the title.
Nadal, who last played in a clay-court tournament at the 2022 French Open, which he won, has expressed his day-to-day approach to recovery and has not ruled out playing in Barcelona or the subsequent tournament in Madrid. Returning to the Barcelona Open would be particularly meaningful for Nadal, as the event’s main court bears his name, and he has triumphed there 12 times in the past.
