On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal is set to face off against Alex de Minaur in the second round of the 2024 Barcelona Open.
Date: April 17, 2024
Match time: Not before 4 PM local time / 10 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 3 PM BST – United Kingdom / 4 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy, 4 PM SAST – South Africa / 7:30 PM IST – New Delhi / midnight AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Alex and Rafa have faced off four times previously, with our champ leading their head-to-head 3-1. The last time they faced off, De Minaur came out on top in straight sets at the 2023 United Cup. Their Barcelona meeting will be the first time Rafa takes on the Aussie on clay.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
As expected Rafa focussed on the positives after his loss today. I’m glad that he says that the only thing is continue training and going forward, so to me that means that it’s not any injury that is limiting him, but rather just a lack of competition. And his game will definitely get better as he continues to compete in tournaments.
I really look forward to seeing Rafa play in madrid and then Rome. He says that is his plan before Roland Garros. No pressure and no big expectations. Just continue to improve and give himself a great chance to be competitive (and hopefully win) at Roland Garros. Two shots at RG (one major title and then the Olympics). Vamos Rafa!
Yes me too – just so happy to see him play again at least for awhile. And I think he is so smart in trying to keep the expectations realistic, he says he just wants to enjoy being on tour and playing in these tournaments! Go Rafa!!
So I just finished watching the match. Rafa was competitive in the first set, but didn’t seem like himself in the second. I noticed one time when he went to use his towel between points, he made some comments to his box and he didn’t seem very positive. So it makes me wonder if there continues to some issues with his back or his ab. So I’m not sure what to think. Rafa is just coming back, so it’s expected he wouldn’t be in top form, plus de Minaur is ranked 11th in the world, so he was a tough match-up. I know as a fan, I’m not ready for Rafa to be finished, but at the same time I would totally understand if he decides not to continue if he feels he just won’t be able to play at the highly competitive level we’ve all come to know and love. So I’ll be very curious to see what he does next (e.g. play in Madrid, Rome and the French Open)!!
Same sentiments and after the first set I didn’t expect my champ to win it, so I was simply happy to watch him play.
I believe Rafa can get better with time and smooth out the rough edges after being away from the heat of the action so long.
DeMinaur gave nothing freely, he played very well and deserved the win.
Rafa only knows the positives he will take away from this match. I think it was a step in the right direction once his body is holding up.
Yes I hope you are right that it’s just getting back in fighting form on the court (and that may take abit of time) and not some lingering injury. Rafa made alot of unforced errors (think it was 46) which is unlike him and De Minaur played very well.
I am encouraged by what I saw from Rafa. As he said after the match, Roland Garros is worth dying for but not the match today. So he was putting some restrictions on how much he would push his body without causing more harm than good. I love that he is being realistic and optimistic about giving his all at the French Open. I feel like he has the tools to win it all and he will continue to improve from here! Vamos, Rafa! 😃💪🥇
Good Luck Our dear Rafa.
SIEMPRE CONTIGO RAFA
Ayer un partido bonito, adelante!!!
Interesting…I wish I could watch…
I’m with you all the way Rafa.A harder challenge, but you can do it. Wishing you the very best of luck today.
You do well rafa very pleased for you hope the next game goes well vamos rafa 👏
All the best Rafa!
Good luck and Vamos Rafa❤️
Rafa lost in 3 sets, not straight sets, to de minaur in 2023 United cup. Please correct the article on this. Remember that Rafa was coming off several injuries back then. Otherwise, Rafa has always thrashed de minaur when they played! Haha!
Good luck, Rafa! You can do it and win this match!