Tennis enthusiasts have been waiting for this moment since January of this year. The Spanish Rafael Nadal back on the courts and in a competitive match. In addition, he scored a winning debut in Barcelona decorated with one gentlemanly gesture, when he condemned the unsportsmanlike behavior of one of the home fans with a gesticulation.
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Rafael Nadal vs Flavio Cobolli Match Cut | Video: Associated Press
Where else should the legendary potter step onto the court after a four-year hiatus than right here. On the center court called Pista Rafa Nadal.
When the organizers decided on this name in 2017, they probably had no idea that seven years from now local fans would be rooting for the 12-time champion of the tournament.
And this year especially. He appeared in his first competitive game since January, when he started to suffer from a torn muscle. Since then he was just resting or training, now he is back and in style. He swept Italian Flavio Cobolli, the 62nd player in the world, like nothing 6:2 and 6:3.
“Each time these comebacks are harder and harder. And I’ve already had a lot of them in my career. I’m incredibly happy to be able to train with all these guys and play a tough match against them. I’m still enjoying it,” he said right after the win hearing Nadal on the court.
More than his sovereign performance on debut, however, the scene during the match point, when Nadal was preparing to serve, but one of the fans spoke into his preparation, attracted more attention.
“Goodbye, Flavio,” a spectator shouted into the silence in Italian.
While some home fans were amused by the announcement, Nadal stopped, shook his head and sent a clear message with his gaze about what he thought of the disrespectful taunt to his opponent.
“He has never been a fan of any disrespect towards his opponents,” The Tennis Letter’s account praised Nadal’s gesture on the social network X.
Rafa Nadal shaking his head at someone who shouted ‘goodbye’ to Flavio Cobolli in Italian during the match
He’s never been a fan of any level of disrespect towards his opponents.
Always a class act. ❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 16, 2024
But then he converted the match point without any problems and stepped towards the net to frenetic applause.
His sovereign performance caused such a stir that even the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas declared that he would not be surprised if Nadal reached the final again in Barcelona. But the Spaniard doesn’t even want to hear about it.
“It’s stupid and he knows it. Today I may have been the favorite for the match, but tomorrow I won’t be against De Minaur. But I understand, from those words I see respect for what I’ve done here. I’m just looking forward to the next challenge, ” said the thirty-seven-year-old tennis player before the battle with the eleventh player in the world, the Australian Alex de Minaur.
One question could not be missed at the press conference. And whether he already has the end date of his career in mind.
“I will play as long as I feel it’s worth it,” answered the twenty-two-time Grand Slam winner.
