Rafael Nadal returned to competition tennis for the "first time in nearly two months" at the Citi Open yesterday, defeating Jack Sock before a capacity crowd of 7,800 at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Over three sets that spanned 3 hours 4 minutes, Nadal, still recovering from a left foot injury, "weathered all challenges to advance" to the third round. For the fans, "seeing even a work-in-progress Nadal was reason to cheer." Nadal "strode out to deafening applause and a standing ovation from fans who paid upward of $500 on the resale market for a ticket to see him compete" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/5).
A @RafaelNadal signature to end it ✍️
— Citi Open (@CitiOpen) August 5, 2021
What a match from both players 👏👏👏#CitiOpen pic.twitter.com/Aas8tr2OJ6
