Rafael Nadal

After being out of action for six weeks due to a rib injury, Spanish ace Rafael Nadal will mark his return at next week's Madrid Open.

After being out of action for six weeks due to a rib injury, Spanish ace Rafael Nadal will mark his return at next week's Madrid Open.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz captured the fourth title of his young career by beating eighth seed and fellow countryman Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2 in the Barcelona Open final on Sunday.

The news will be a welcome relief for the Serbian, who has been embroiled in controversy over his vaccination status that forced him to miss the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami Open.

Rafael Nadal started the season on a 20 match-winning streak, picking up titles in Melbourne and Acapulco before he fractured his rib in the Indian Wells.

Rafa Nadal resumed training on Monday after four weeks out due a stress fracture in his rib, a month out from the French Open where the Spaniard will bid for a record-extending 14th title.

Stefanos Tsitsipas captured his second straight Monte Carlo Masters crown with a 6-3 7-6(3) win over first-time ATP Tour finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Sunday, claiming his first title of the 2022 season.

The Spaniard, who has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles, was ruled out last month for up to six weeks with a stress fracture in his rib.

Carlos Alcaraz believes watching boyhood idol Rafael Nadal helped him become the the youngest ever Miami Open champion on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal says he suffered from ‘worrying’ breathing difficulties during his straight-sets defeat by Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final.