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via Reuters

via Reuters

Rafael Nadal has made an authoritative start to the 2022 season. Earlier this year, he clinched the Australian Open Down Under in a thrilling come-from-behind victory. The Spaniard won his 21st Grand Slam title, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash in a five-setter thriller. Subsequently, he maintained his winning momentum, lifting the trophy in Acapulco to complete a hat-trick of titles.

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Further, after his Indian Wells campaign, Nadal suffered a rib injury which kept him out of the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. He has made a comeback at the Madrid Open this week. Recently, he asked for a schedule change for his second-round match.

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Feliciano Lopez reveals why Rafael Nadal asked for a schedule change

The 21-time Grand Slam champion requested Madrid Open tournament director Feliciano Lopez for a change in the schedule of his round-of-32 clash against Miomir Kecmanovic. Subsequently, opening about Nadal’s request, Lopez said, “Rafa likes to play during the day in Madrid, as the ball hits him higher, and with the Champions League semi-final he asked us not to play at the same time as the match.”

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via Getty

Further, Nadal is a huge fan of Real Madrid. Moreover, he was also in attendance at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to watch Real Madrid lift the La Liga title with a 4-0 win over Espanyol. Yesterday, Real Madrid overturned a 4-3 first leg result against them to win the tie 3-1 in extra time. With this, Real Madrid entered the finals of the Champions League and will face the English club, Liverpool FC, in the summit clash.

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Meanwhile, Nadal is going strong at the Madrid Open 2022. Yesterday, he breezed past Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in straight sets 6-1, 7-6 (4). Later today, he’ll face the qualifier, David Goffin, for a place in the quarterfinals. Can Nadal win the Madrid Open 2022 on his home turf?

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