(VIDEO): Rafael Nadal apologises to Flavio Cobolli on behalf of fans after ‘goodbye’ chants during Barcelona Open first-round win

Spain’s legendary tennis star Rafael Nadal apologised on behalf of the fans at the Barcelona Open. The 37-year-old is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of tennis in the men’s singles category, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles.

Nadal, in the recent past, has struggled with injuries and it was because of this reason he missed nearly the whole of the 2023 season. He returned to action earlier this year but once again injured himself in the Brisbane International which led him to miss the first Grand Slam of the year — the Australian Open — along with three ATP 1000 events — Indian Wells, Miami Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters.

The former world number one once again returned to action in the ongoing Barcelona Open on Tuesday where he defeated Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the round of 64 clash in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3. In a video that was available on social media, Nadal was seen nodding his head and raising his hand to apologise on behalf of the fans as they chanted ‘arrivederci Flavio’ which means ‘goodbye Flavio’ just before the second match point. He will now face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the round of 32 clash on Wednesday.