Rafael Nadal was eliminated in the second round of the ATP tournament in Barcelona.
Australian Alex de Minaur was better than the legendary Spaniard, who won in two sets - 7:5, 6:1.
Rafa returned to his favorite surface yesterday after almost two years - exactly 680 days, he also played his first match at all since January this year, he beat the Italian Flavio Cobolli, 62nd in the world, but already today he showed how far he is from the right form.
Far from the desired rhythm, or perhaps close to the definitive end.
The 37-year-old "king of clay" had ups and downs during his trophy career, but he hasn't looked as powerless as in the second set of today's clash, in which he won only one game, struggled to move, struggled for air...
His main (and only) goal in the return season, which he postponed several times, is Roland Garros, the question is whether he can, and whether he has time, to be at a decent level.
Next week is the Masters in Madrid, and right after that in Rome, as a prelude to the only Grand Slam on clay.
Bonus video:
