On Wednesday, defending champion Rafael Nadal will face Argentine Leonardo Mayer in his first match at the Barcelona Open. They have played five times and Rafa has won all five matches (dropping just a set in the process), including the most recent at the Australian Open last year. Their only encounter on clay was at Roland Garros in 2014, Rafa winning 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
Date: April 24, 2018
Match time: Around 3 PM local time / 9 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2 PM BST – United Kingdom / 3 PM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11 PM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa is 58-3 at the event and won his 11th Barcelona title – and third straight – last year. The World No. 2 even has his own court – Pista Rafa Nadal – at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899, the oldest Spanish tennis club.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
I read all your comments. So much worry. Be calm and send Rafa blessings. He CAN win still.
There’s clearly something wrong with Rafa’s mind. He’s missing some easy balls right now. It could just be the lack of confidence from doubting his body:(:(
Anyhow I hope he can go on to win. And if he does, I will not be too displeased if he loses to Ferrer. Ferrer is doing his best to go out of professional tennis on a high… actually playing pretty great in Barcelona with some Nadal-like scorelines. Hmm…
Yup! Rafa is just playing normal human level tennis right now. Our King of Clay is nowhere to be found. Come on champ, wake up!!
He is playing like shit….why is he letting that group of idiots be his coaching staff, I think he might be better going back to toni….I haven’t seen his this afraid of anything…until now….there is something wrong with his preparation and his attitude….
He seems like he doesn’t give a shit…
That was a very poor first set – I don’t know if it’s lack of confidence or if he’s still not fully fit or what. Hoping things get better.
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Good luck in your opening match tomorrow, Rafa. Remember that form is temporary but class is permanent. You WILL bounce back.
Something tells me he’s not gonna win it.
The after-effect of the Fognini shocker will typically still be there…..it’s not easy, you know. His game is still shaky.
I tip any of Leonardo Mayer, Dominic Thiem, Danil Medvedev and co to win.
And again the seif-inflicted ”wound” over a 12th title is still hovering around like a Karma.
But as always, we’d see…..cheers
Rafa rocks (apologies to Margo).
Maria, the so called Deep Thinker. You sound suspiciously like Maria Snake Island with all your negative BS…!
Leonardo Mayer to win Barcelona? Riiighhhht. Next you’ll tell me that Fognini won Monte Carlo. It’s a weird year but not THAT weird.
For the record, Rafa has NEVER lost back to back clay court matches. Probably not even as a kid. 🙂
Thiem might win in Barcelona. You never know. But odds are that Rafa gets his game together and wins it.
I hope you eat your words.
Rafa plays third on his court. My guess is around 3pm local time.
Rafa is due for a great tournament title .
Restablish the setve and plrase win this tournament for your self esteem and us passionate fans !
Vamos Rafa !