Rafael Nadal short of fitness, likely to miss Barcelona Open: Reports

After pulling out of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters, it was widely expected that Rafael Nadal would start his comeback at the upcoming Barcelona Open. But according to the latest reports, that is unlikely as well.

As reported by Cadena SER, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is still short of full fitness and will not attempt to make a return at the ATP 500 event in Barcelona. Nadal last played a competitive match back in January, a second-round loss at the hands of Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open.

Since then, the former World No. 1 has withdrawn from the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Qatar Open, the BNP Paribas Open, the Miami Open and most recently, the Monte-Carlo Masters. If he were to miss Barcelona as well, it would mark a full three months of inaction for the 36-year-old, who fell out of the top 10 for the first time in 18 years due to his recent time on the sidelines.

In more positive news for fans of Spanish tennis, Carlos Alcaraz, who also skipped Monte-Carlo for injury reasons, is reported to have recovered well enough to compete at the Barcelona Open.

Alcaraz is the defending champion at the tournament, having beaten Pablo Carreno Busta in the final last year. The teenager beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur in back-to-back three-setters en route to the summit clash.

Where could Rafael Nadal return if he misses the Barcelona Open?

2023 Australian Open - Day 3

The Madrid Open, an ATP 1000 event, immediately follows the Barcelona Open. That could mark Rafael Nadal's comeback to the tour if he does indeed miss Barcelona.

Last year Nadal reached the quarterfinals at Madrid, where he fell to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

If the Mallorcan misses the Madrid Open too he could appear at the Italian Open, where he faced a Round of 16-exit in 2022 at the hands of Denis Shapovalov. Missing the Masters 1000 event in Rome as well would mean Nadal enters the French Open, where he is the defending champion, with no claycourt matches under his belt.

At the last edition of Roland Garros, the former World No. 1 defeated Casper Ruud to win his then record 22nd Slam title and a record-extending 15th title on the claycourts of Paris. With 2,000 ranking points at stake, he will be looking to get there in top shape, making Madrid the ideal place to start his comeback journey.