It only took the five-time Madrid champion, who has stated he intends to retire after the 2024 campaign, 63 minutes to defeat his opponent, a 16-year-old, 6-1 6-0.
This week, Rafael Nadal, 37, declared that he will only participate in the French Open the next month if he feels “capable enough to compete”.
In the upcoming round in Madrid, he will face Australian Alex de Minaur, who defeated him in the Barcelona Open’s second round last week.
The 22-time major winner from Spain was returning to the professional circuit in Barcelona after missing three months due to injuries. He was worried that he might not be able to play again.
