Rafael Nadal Set For Return Tuesday In Barcelona, Say He’s Treating 2024 As His Final Year

by Staff | April 15th, 2024, 10:33 pm
  • 20 Comments

Earlier today in Barcelona, Rafael Nadal confirmed that he is good tomorrow for his first round match Tuesday against Flavio Cobolli.

Nadal has just three matches since the Australian Open last year, those coming in January at Brisbane. In fact, he hasn’t played on clay since his 2022 French Open title.

The 12-time champion in Barcelona met the media today.


“Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to be here in recent years. Luckily I was able to come here as a last-minute decision. I think, all things considered, the week of training has been positive. Tomorrow I will be on court,” Nadal told the ATP via translation.

“It’s been a difficult couple of years, he said. “As much as it pains me to miss certain events, it is what it is. I have to weigh up all the good things that have happened to me throughout my life. At this point of my career, unfortunately or not, I’m in a different situation.”

“Rather than regretting the places I haven’t been able to play, I’m happy to be here,” he added. “I’m treating it as my last year, I want to enjoy every second. That makes everything a little more special. Currently that’s how I feel. It hurt not being able to be in Monte-Carlo last week but, luckily, things have improved this week. I feel ready to go out and play tomorrow.

“Everything has a beginning and an end. In sporting terms, I don’t know what might happen in the future. Right now I’m treating this as if it’s my last participation in the Godo tournament. This is my current feeling.”


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20 Comments for Rafael Nadal Set For Return Tuesday In Barcelona, Say He’s Treating 2024 As His Final Year

chrisford1 Says:

Could be that Rafa on his last legs gets on the Titles Board before Novak Djokovic.

Who could have thought that was possible at the end of 2023 with the GOAT-Y year Novak had.
Such a year with so many points , even if he hasn’t won anything, Novak is still #1. Recently he doubled the weeks at #1 over what Rafa has 421 vs Rafa’s 207 weeks. And as Monte Carlo was starting, Djokovic became the oldest #1 Player. Moving past Roger who was last #1 at age 36 + 320 days. Novak is 36 + 329 days and counting.

All hail Novak!
He has more weeks to go. 10,035 and just added 350 points. Sinner is 8, 750, Alcaraz 8,645.

April 16th, 2024 at 12:30 am


Alison hodge Says:

It’s a Rafa thread not everything is about Novak

April 16th, 2024 at 4:54 am


ChrisM Says:

“All hail Novak” wow, is he your overlord or something? Misplaced sycophancy is the worst kind of sycophancy, just so you know. Let’s talk about the CVAC machine and what WADA said about it. I’m not surprised about the outcome of Novak’s career, in that context. No one should be. Only fans of dirty sport would be pleased about it. Looking forward to hearing from the usual suspects, but I’d be thrilled if y’all didn’t bother because your Novak worship is pretty tiresome.

April 16th, 2024 at 11:29 am


chrisford1 Says:

Nothing infuriates Novak haters like ChrisM than citing new records the man makes each week it seems, eclipsing ChrisM’s faves. So he dredges up old PED smears.
Lighten up, sourpuss, and give Novak an attaboy for being the oldest #1 in men’s tennis history. And more than doubling Nadal’s time as #1 especially since Nadal was a pretty good player.

Neither Rafa nor Novak have a title this year. So far. I am very happy Rafa is back to where he can try playing in his final year. I’d be happy if Rafa won something in 2024 on his way out and I hope the two Greats can square off one last time in the closest, most competitive and most matches ever rivalry. 30-29 Novak in the lead. But Rafa has a last hurrah to go on clay. And he’s be pretty pleased if he leveled the rivalry at the end!

April 16th, 2024 at 12:01 pm


Wog Boy Says:

It’s is so predictable who is going to come after CF1 post first with snarky remarks, it’s been like that for years now.

As for the other dude, the question is not what WADA says but is CVAC illegal, the answer is NO, everyone is free to use it and it is very affordable even for #100 ranked players.
How do we know what Rafa, Roger or anyone else has in their spare room(s).
Procedures that Rafa used to “cure” his knees were declared unethical but not illegal and that’s what matters.
If you only need CVAC to become GOAT we would have new GOAT every year😉😂

April 16th, 2024 at 7:21 pm


skeezer Says:

As usual here a topic about anyone but Djoker gets hijacked into……….Djokerism.

April 16th, 2024 at 7:34 pm


Wog Boy Says:

^^^…just another troll, not even good one, don’t feed the troll.

April 16th, 2024 at 8:34 pm


skeezer Says:

^^^…just another troll, not even good one, don’t feed the troll.

April 16th, 2024 at 10:45 pm


chrisford1 Says:

LOL! I don’t hate Rafa or Federer, but their last, to the bitter end followers can’t stop hating on Djokovic.
In 2011, Novak ended the Nike created Duopoly of the two greatest players ever, who were billed as close friends that loved one another as the two wonderfulness champions ever on and off the court.
Worst, the boos really bothered Djokovic in the beginning, because as Nick Kyrgios said, Novak had such a pathological need to he loved and have approval, Nick said he couldn’t stand him. But the fans underestimated Djokovics mental strength and being crazy enough he could make himself believe in key moments, the boos were really cheers.
His revenge was best seen in the delight he had playing badly against Federer in 2019, with Fed on fire. With the Feddards on his back the whole time – beating Fed and tearing the hearts out of Fed lovers everywhere. They knew. Novak was indominable and Fed finally choked long into the 5th set.

April 17th, 2024 at 12:03 am


Zed Says:

CF1, oh yes, 2019 WB final, amazing, simply amazing.

It will live in people’s memories for decades to come thanks to iconic images like blonde-lady smiling and holding up a single finger.

Did she mean “Roger you are number #1”? Did she mean “Roger you just need one more point and another Wimbeldon title is yours!”

We will never know what her intention was because (as you pointed out) Roger pulled off the most epic choke in the history of tennis. It will never be forgotten!

It will never be forgotten by fans of Roger (like single-finger blonde-lady) because of their profound disappointment and overwhelming sadness.

And it will never be forgotten by fans of Novak who to this day have a laugh when they remember the gut-wrenching pain and disappointment on Roger’s face LOL! The usual smug arrogance was completely wiped off Roger’s face :), and for a little while you could see him dying inside.

Jeeze that was beautiful, just amazingly, stunningly beautiful LOL!!!

April 17th, 2024 at 3:25 am


Alison hodge Says:

Should rename this forum Novak extra, that’s all people seem to want to talk about, God forbid any other player should ever get a look in….

Skeezer I want to know if you saw the match, and how did Rafa play…

April 17th, 2024 at 4:24 am


Alison hodge Says:

And BTW in all the years I’ve posted here, I’ve given Novak alot of credit and congratulated him many, many times, even had fellow Rafa fans calling me out, by saying that I was a secret Novak fan, wanting to talk about other players doesn’t make us hate one particular player, it’s just means we are actually fans of other players too, rather than been infatuated with just one….

April 17th, 2024 at 8:00 am


skeezer Says:

Djoker fans will never get the Federer chip on the shoulder lol. He wasn’t even in this conversation but Djokerism had to bring him in. Fed has been happily retired for years and they still can’t stop talking about him. They have always been jealous of his superior popularity and talent. All good :)
Alison, Rafa looked good, moved well, served ok, groundies were Rafa like, I would watch his movement and his serve going forward, he’ll need both to do well.

April 17th, 2024 at 8:06 am


Alison hodge Says:

Thanks for the info Skeezer 👍

April 17th, 2024 at 10:18 am


tennismonger Says:

Did anyone make note of Rafa’s service-technique-change? I have to admit,
I didn’t notice until I saw a youtube video about it – yikes!
Might’ve worked in the 80’s but not now.
Groundies are coming along but still much work to be done…fingers crossed
that he makes it to RG for his last stand…vamos!

April 17th, 2024 at 3:57 pm


zed Says:

Yes Tennismonger, I too hope he makes it to RG. I look forward to it greatly LOL :)

Di Minaur really took Rafa apart didn’t he? It was a bit embarrassing for Rafa I would imagine :(

April 17th, 2024 at 7:24 pm


Alison hodge Says:

Win or lose its great to see him play no expectations 😀

April 18th, 2024 at 12:21 pm


skeezer Says:

Rafa has a month before the FO. Main thing is he gets matches in and gets some stamina and movement back. Barring any setbacks he could compete @FO, but him AND Djoker aren’t getting any younger, and the younger guys are finally getting now very close to their level.

April 18th, 2024 at 5:35 pm


Alison hodge Says:

Completely agree Skeezer, I have no expectations, things move on, time waits for no man, would be nice to see him celebrate him celebrate his birthday at RG one last time, but I don’t have much hope, we’ll see 🤗

April 19th, 2024 at 5:32 am


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