A 12-time Barcelona Open champion, Rafael Nadal, will return to one of his favorite tournaments in 2024! Rafa is the first confirmed player for the 2024 edition of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, competing at the court that carries his name between April 13 and 21. If he stays injury-free, Nadal will play in Barcelona for the first time since 2021, missing the previous two editions due to physical issues. Rafa fractured his rib in Indian Wells last year, not playing until Madrid. This year, the crowd favorite skipped Barcelona due to a hip injury, playing only four matches in 2023 and hoping for a better run in the upcoming season. Rafa is the most successful player at the Barcelona Open, winning 12 titles from 16 trips since 2003 and receiving an ultimate honor! The central court has carried Nadal’s name for a couple of years, and a 22-time Major winner looks eager to return to it in four months.
Rafael Nadal will return to Barcelona in April 2024.
Nadal made his Barcelona Open debut in 2003 at 16, losing to Alex Corretja in three sets. Nadal won five consecutive Barcelona titles between 2005 and 2009, setting the ultimate domination. He skipped the 2010 edition and claimed three straight titles without losing a set between 2011 and 2013, extending his incredible run. Rafa’s second and third Barcelona losses came in 2014 and 2015 when he was not playing at his best. The Spaniard reigned again between 2016 and 2018, winning all 15 matches in straight sets! Nadal’s fourth and last Barcelona loss came in the 2019 quarter-final against Dominic Thiem.
Rafa claimed his 12th Barcelona title in 2021, scoring an epic 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 triumph over Stefanos Tsitsipas in three hours and 37 minutes! Nadal fended off a match point and remained perfect in the Barcelona Open title matches, winning all 12! The Spaniard saved a match point in the final set’s tenth game and prevailed in the most extended best-of-three final since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990! Rafa denied 11 out of 13 break chances and delivered four breaks to emerge victorious. The Spaniard rattled off the last three games to leave the opponent behind and bring the trophy home. After skipping Barcelona in consecutive years, Nadal will embrace his 17th campaign in April, hoping for a good run and setting eyes on his 13th title if he regains his A-game.