Nadal Will Go For Record 10th Barcelona Title
Nadal Will Go For Record 10th Barcelona Title
Spaniard confirms he’ll try to defend his Barcelona crown
Rafael Nadal is the first player to confirm his participation in the Barcelona Open BancSabadell. The Majorcan tennis player has accepted the invitation of the tournament and will be the main attraction of the 65th edition of this great world event of tennis on clay, which will be played in 2017 from 22-30 April at the Real Club Tennis Barcelona-1899.
For Nadal this will be his 13th participation at the tournament, where he will play for his 10th title. He would become the first player to win any tournament 10 times.
“I will play again at the Barcelona Open BancSabadell, a very important tournament for everyone on the world tennis calendar,” Nadal said. “As always, playing in Spain, at home, is an extra motivation for me for many reasons, but mainly because of the support of the public, which is closer. In addition, the tournament is played at my tennis club, and in Barcelona, which makes everything more special.”
Albert Costa, director of the Barcelona Open BancSabadell, is also very pleased with Nadal’s confirmation. Costa does not hide that this is great news for all tennis fans.
“The possibility of watching Nadal play in Barcelona is reduced to one week a year, and it is normal that the expectation is triggered as he is one of the most extraordinary players who appear only once in a while in the world of sport. I am convinced that Rafa will return to play at the highest level and that we will have yet again a super tournament,” Costa said.
Nadal is currently No. 9 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. In 2016, during which several physical problems prevented him from performing as he had hoped, Nadal won the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Barcelona Open BancSabadell. The Barcelona final against Japanese Kei Nishikori was one of the best finals played at an ATP World Tour 500 event.
During Nadal’s 12 appearances in the City of Barcelona, he has compiled a 49-3 record. He fell to Alex Corretja during his debut year, 2003; Nicolas Almagro, in 2014; and Fabio Fognini in 2015.
Tickets for the tournament are now available electronically. Click here to purchase them at the tournament’s website.