In front of packed stands, on a court that has borne his name since 2017, the Spaniard dismissed Flavio Cobolli (ATP 62) in two sets: 6-2, 6-3 in 1h25 of play.
More than three months after his very last competitive meeting, the 37-year-old did most of his work against an Italian who was undoubtedly far from having offered his best tennis. Did he reassure that much? Overall yes, even if we sometimes felt restrained. How could it be otherwise for someone who only played three games last January after an almost blank 2023 season?
A real test now awaits him in the second round. The Bull of Manacor will be opposed to the Australian Alex de Minaur (ATP 11).
More information to come.
