Nadal wins on injury return

Rafael Nadal enjoyed a winning start at the Barcelona Open as he returned from another long-term injury in what could be his final year before retirement.

The Spanish 22-time major champion, who turns 38 in June, won 6-2, 6-3 against inexperienced Italian Flavio Cobolli in their first-round match on Tuesday.

Now ranked 644th, Nadal was playing for the first time since January because of a hip injury and abdominal issues.

Nadal has indicated 2024 is likely to be his last as a professional player.

After pulling out of last year’s French Open with the hip problem, the former world No.1 said he planned to retire at the end of this season.

Nadal, who is considered as one of the best players in history and greatest clay-courter of all time, has only played one event since.

But, before making his latest comeback in Barcelona, Nadal said he was not “putting a deadline” on his retirement and would only keep playing as long as he felt it was “worth it”.

“I’m just having fun and happy to start with a victory,” said Nadal, who faces a tougher opponent next in Australian world number 11 Alex de Minaur.

“I’m going through some tough moments but at the same time when I’m able to be on tour and compete a little bit it means a lot.”

A record 12-time champion in Barcelona, Nadal was playing his first clay-court match in 681 days - when he won the 2022 French Open final.

Murray on French Open entry list

Andy Murray has been named on the entry list for the French Open, but fellow Briton Emma Raducanu is not yet assured of a place in the draw.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, 36, ruptured ankle ligaments at the Miami

Open last month.

Raducanu missed the last eight months of 2023 but has a protected ranking of 103 and is the fifth alternate.

If she does not make the main draw because of withdrawals, she will need a wildcard or to come through qualifying.

The French Open starts on 26 May. Murray has played at Roland Garros only once since hip resurfacing surgery in 2019, losing in the first round in 2020.

The Scot, who won Olympic gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, said this year that he wants to compete at another Games before he retires.