MADRID, Spain – Rafael Nadal will continue his preparations for Roland Garros by playing the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona next month, tournament organizers announced on Wednesday.
The No. 4 in the world is looking for the 13th title in Barcelona since its first victory in 2005.
“Having Rafa in Barcelona is very exciting for the tournament and expectations will be high as to how far it can go,” said tournament director David Ferrer, a former Spanish professional tennis player who was a finalist at Roland Garros in 2013. Nadal made an impressive start to the season with his victory at the Australian Open in January, knocking Daniil Medvedev to the final after 2 sets with 0.
It was the 21st Grand Slam title for the 35-year-old Spaniard, beating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to become the most successful tennis player of all time in major tournaments.
Nadal also won the Acapulco tournament last weekend, defeating the new world number one Medvedev in the semifinals. He is unbeaten in 15 matches this season.
The Barcelona ATP 500 starts on April 16, just over a month before the start of Roland-Garros in late May.
The Spanish dragon will come to Paris to look for the 14th title to increase the number of his victories at Roland Garros, after being hit by Novak Djokovic in the semifinals last year.
