Rafael Nadal will play a qualifier in the Italian Open’s opening round on his return to the clay courts in Rome, beginning yet another phase of his continuing injury recovery.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who is renowned for his supremacy on clay, is aiming for a record-tying tenth victory in Rome. If he advances, the ninth-ranked player in the world, Hubert Hurkacz, might face him in the next round. Also looming in Nadal’s section of the draw are defending champion Daniil Medvedev and last year’s runner-up, Holger Rune.
Nadal has a long history in Rome; he last won here in 2021 before having to retire from competition the previous year due to an injury.
The 37-year-old Spaniard has had mixed results since rejoining the circuit in April following a three-month break. He lost in the second round in Barcelona but advanced to the round of 16 in Madrid.
Currently ranked 305th in the ATP rankings, Rafael Nadal’s future in tennis is still up in the air due to nagging physical problems that have raised talk of his retirement. He has given hints that his competitive spirit will determine whether or not he enters the next Roland Garros.
