ARTICLES:

• Nadal Interrupted By Marriage Proposal, But Prevails (via ATP World Tour)

The Spaniard broke Almagro in the seventh game to seal the first set, at which point there was a pause in proceedings while a visiting British fan was filmed live courtside and on Spanish television proposing to his girlfriend – who said ‘yes’. Perhaps it distracted Nadal momentarily as he dropped serve to 15 at the start of the second set. But the Mallorcan swiftly regrouped and reeled off the next five games to put himself on the verge of victory. … After the match, the Spaniard met Brazilian football star Neymar, who scored two goals in FC Barcelona’s win over Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday night in the Champions League quarter-final.

• Full transcript of Rafael Nadal’s press conference – in Spanish and English (via Barcelona Open)

““I was winning 63 51 so I wouldn’t say I was nervous at the end of the match, I mean if you are nervous when you are winning by this much you definitely have a problem. My tennis is great when I hit the ball with a drive, and it’s even better when my backhand is on point. My drive could have been better today but since it was my first match I’m satisfied with my performance.”

• Nadal disipa las primeras dudas (via El Pais)

Barcelona debe confirmar el momento de Nadal. Y la verdad es que en su primer partido, el cuarto jugador mundial comenzó a disipar las dudas y se mostró muy sólido de cabeza. Su problema actualmente está más en la cabeza que en el juego. Todavía no está al nivel necesario para derrotar a Djokovic.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 22: Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain laughs as Neymar of FC Barcelona signs autographs during day three of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 22, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 22: Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain and Neymar of FC Barcelona pose for a photo during day three of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 22, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)

• Young Spaniards would rather see Rafa Nadal as Prime Minister (via spanishnewstoday.com)

In the “ideal world”, Pablo Iglesias, Gran Wyoming, Adolfo Suarez, Peter Pan and Rafa Nadal are the preferred candidates for the Spanish presidency although quite what policies they would adopt are not discussed, and Adolfo Suarez is likely to be unavailable as he has already passed away!

• Rafael Nadal is ‘building’ toward his best self at the French Open, even if he’s not the favorite (via Oregon Live)

Djokovic — the World No. 1, the Australian Open champion and the winner of the first three Masters tournaments of the year — will be the favorite at the 2015 French Open. But Nadal will have built up through Barcelona this week and then in Madrid and Rome. His coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, has made clear that Rafa does not approach his eleventh Roland Garros with a been-there-done-that attitude. Rafa is a winner, he says, because he always wants to win.

• Francis Roig: “Creo que Nadal podrá luchar por todos los títulos con 33 años como hace Federer” (via puntodebreak.com)

Creo que el 80 por ciento del cambio de raqueta es para que la pelota corra más con menos esfuerzo. Si cambias de raqueta para que la pelota no corra más, mejor quédate con la tuya. Al principio siempre cuesta un poquito, y si fallas es buena señal porque la pelota corre más.

PHOTOS: 

• Rafael Nadal into Barcelona Open third round
• Dia 3 (via Barcelona Open)

VIDEOS:

• ATP Highlights #bcnopenbs Day 3 (via Barcelona Open)
• Rueda de prensa de Rafa Nadal después de su debut en #bcnopenbs (via Banco Sabadell)
• Rafael Nadal’s Hot Shot Against Nicolas Almagro
• Rafa Nadal concentra todas las miradas en #bcnopenbs (via Barcelona Open)