Rafael Nadal Starts Madrid Open with a Convincing Straight-Set Victory.

Tennis General

Rafael Nadal Starts Madrid Open with a Convincing Straight-Set Victory.

Rafael Nadal kicked off his farewell tour at the Madrid Open with a straightforward straight-set victory against American teenager Darwin Blanch.

Spain's five-time Madrid Open champion, Rafael Nadal, started his farewell tour in style with a swift 6-1 6-0 victory over American Darwin Blanch, taking just 63 minutes to seal the win.

Nadal, aged 37, has hinted at retiring after the 2024 season. He mentioned this week that he'll only participate in the French Open next month if he feels physically fit to compete at his best.

In the next round, Nadal will face Australian Alex de Minaur, who defeated him in the second round of the Barcelona Open last week.

Nadal's return to the court comes after a three-month absence, during which he had doubts about returning to professional tennis. The French Open, where Nadal holds a record 14 titles, begins on May 26.

Expressing his gratitude, Nadal said, "Playing here has always been a tremendous pleasure, and the support from the fans is indescribable."