The Spaniard looked like his old self for brief moments in the second-round match but couldn't keep up with the 11th-ranked De Minaur.

The 12-time champion couldn’t back up his form from his opening-round victory, exiting the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell against the fourth-seeded Aussie.

Could Rafa be seeded at Roland Garros?

Nadal looked injury-free in a 6-2, 6-3 win over Flavio Cobolli to advance to the second round in his first tournament in more than three months.

The 12-time event champion rolled, 6-2, 6-3, to line up a second-round clash with Alex de Minaur Tuesday.

The 21-year-old has picked up nine tour-level wins on his way to cracking the Top 65 so far in 2024.

The 12-time event champion faces Flavio Cobolli Tuesday in his first clay-court match since winning the 2022 Roland Garros trophy.

Carlitos had previously pulled out of Monte Carlo with the same right arm injury.

The 12-time champion has not confirmed he will play but stated at the draw ceremony, "I'm happy to be here."

Might we see the Spaniard’s comeback to competition on his namesake court next week?