BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal is “prepared sufficient” to play on Tuesday in what he expects to be his final Barcelona Open.

Nadal on Monday confirmed his participation in his first clay-court match this yr.

“It was a optimistic week of coaching and I will be on the courtroom,” mentioned Nadal, who will face Flavio Cobolli in his opening match. “It is a present to be right here. I’ve a sense that will probably be my final time right here and I need to get pleasure from it.”

Nadal, a 12-time champion in Barcelona, had hip surgical procedure final summer season and this yr has performed solely three aggressive matches, all in Brisbane earlier than skipping the Australian Open.

“I am prepared sufficient to play,” Nadal mentioned. “It’s what it’s proper now. I’ve to maintain going day-to-day.”

The Spaniard mentioned he was in a novel state of affairs after “two robust years” of accidents and felt he can nonetheless “be aggressive.”

The 37-year-old Nadal pulled out of final week’s Monte Carlo Masters earlier than it began due to a lingering damage, saying “ my physique merely received’t permit me.”

In early March, the 22-time Grand Slam champion performed an exhibition match in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas however days later pulled out of the Indian Wells match.

Nadal is a 14-time winner on the French Open which does not start till Could 25.

Alcaraz will not play in Barcelona due to an damage. Stefanos Tsitsipas, who defeated Jannik Sinner within the Monte Carlo remaining, has entered Barcelona.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis