“I couldn't”: Flavio Cobolli reveals having sleepless night before facing Rafael Nadal in Barcelona

Italy’s young tennis player Flavio Cobolli has opened up about the feelings he had while facing the former world number one Rafael Nadal in the Barcelona Open. The 37-year-old is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles.

Nadal has struggled with injury concerns and returned to the court earlier in 2024 where he once again had a niggle during the Brisbane International which ruled him out of action for nearly four months. The Spanish legendary tennis star finally made his way back to the court in the Barcelona Open where he defeated young Cobolli in the round of 64 in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

The 19-year-old was recently quoted in a report where he revealed that he did not sleep the night before facing the player who is also known as the ‘King of Clay’. "It was an incredible experience to have the opportunity to play against Rafa,” said Coboli. “I tried to do the best I could, play point by point, I have a lot of respect for Rafa Obviously, I couldn't, it was a match where I was nervous, the night before I couldn't sleep."Nadal is always Nadal, no matter how he arrives, so it would have been better to play against someone from the Qualifiers. The truth is that I really enjoyed playing against him, it was a unique experience, at least I was able to enjoy it."