Barcelona, 17 April 2024 – A long, very long applause, accompanies the release of Rafa Nadal in the last Barcelona ATP of career. A match in which the Mallorcan’s natural feel for the land clashed hard with the solid game of Alex De Minaur. It ends 7-5, 6-1 for the Australian, a gentleman player, let’s understand, but certainly not one red specialist.
Last game in Barcelona for Rafa (who has been hinting at a possibility for some time withdrawal at the end of the season) to forget. A little for me opponent’s winners, 21, which are practically double those of the Spaniard (11). But above all for the amount of free errors: 42 against De Minaur’s 26.
This explains the severe rating collected by Rafa in a tournament that is practically his home. Starting slowly as in the debut match against Cobolli, Rafa seems to recover after a while, recovering a break of disadvantage.
But then the groundstrokes fall too short on the opponent’s court, so the Australian can attack and shorten as he pleases, also placing a series of winners with short balls that cut off Rafa’s legs.
The Majorcan is now looking to the next tournament after returning to play matches on clay after 681 days and is probably still looking for fitness.
Vavassori eliminated by Bautista Agut
Also Andrea Vavassori leaves the stage in the 2nd round in Barcelona. The blue, number 156 in the world and on the scoreboard as lucky loserlost to the Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut, number 84 in the ATP ranking, with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 after two hours and six minutes.
