Rafael Nadal has sparked concerns of a potential withdrawal from the Barcelona Open by scheduling a press conference ahead of his first match.

Rafael Nadal’s return to the tennis court after a prolonged absence due to a hip injury has been fraught with uncertainty and setbacks. The 37-year-old has faced the longest hiatus of his career, spending the past 15 months undergoing rehab for a complex flexor muscle injury in his hip. Following surgery, Nadal aimed to make a comeback at the Brisbane International earlier this year, where he managed to win a few matches before succumbing to defeat in the quarterfinals, compounded by a re-injury to his hip.

The setback forced Nadal to miss significant events, including the 2024 Australian Open, which he had been eagerly anticipating during his time away from the sport. However, despite initial concerns, his injury proved less severe than feared, allowing him to return to competition at the Netflix Slam exhibition match in Las Vegas. Yet, doubts resurfaced when he withdrew from Indian Wells shortly after, citing an abdominal issue that affected his serve.

Hopes were high for Nadal’s participation in the Monte Carlo Masters, a tournament he has dominated with 11 titles, but he withdrew just days before the main draw began. Reports indicated that his serve continued to be hampered by the abdominal problem, prompting speculation about his fitness and readiness to compete at the highest level.

The latest development causing a stir among fans is the announcement of a scheduled press conference following Nadal’s final training session ahead of the Barcelona Open. While the 12-time champion is set to play his first match against Flavio Cobolli, uncertainty looms over the purpose of the press conference. Speculation abounds as to whether Nadal will merely address media obligations or if a more significant announcement is imminent, leaving fans and pundits alike on edge as they await clarity on the tennis icon’s future plans.