(Barcelona) Rafael Nadal, down to 644e world rank and who made his return this week after more than three months of absence, was eliminated Wednesday on 2e round of the Barcelona tournament by the Australian Alex De Minaur (11e), winner 7-5, 6-1 of their duel.
The 37-year-old Spaniard, with 22 Grand Slam titles, held off his opponent for a round, before giving up, without however showing any physical discomfort. Plagued by repeated pain, he had not played on the ATP circuit before this week since suffering a hip injury in Brisbane at the beginning of January.