Nadal returns to Hamburg

Seven years after his only title at the Rothenbaum Club

Seven years after winning his only title at the Rothenbaum Club in 2008 against Federer, Rafa Nadal returns to the ATP 500 in Hamburg (in 2008 it was still a Masters 1,000). Nadal debuts today on the clay courts of the Rothenbaum in a doubles match against Fognini-Bolelli, around 5:30 pm, paired with Jaume Antoni Munar (18 years old, from Santanyi, Mallorca), a sparring partner of the Spanish Davis Cup team in Russia. Munar lost the junior final of Roland Garros in 2014... against Andrey Rublev, the executioner of Spain in Russia.

A dream for Michael Stich

Nadal's return to Hamburg was a dream for Michael Stich, tournament director and Wimbledon champion in 1991. Stich will pay Rafa, currently ranked tenth in the ATP, a starting fee of €500,000 (in addition to the prize money for each round), the usual rate for Nadal in ATP 500 tournaments like this one in Hamburg, the London Queen's, or Basel. "Bringing Rafa Nadal is a risk that we take with a sense of proportion. In the world, there are only three players who attract spectators: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic," said Stich to the German portal Tennis Magazin. In addition, Nadal requested a wild card or invitation for Munar, whose rights are held by Rafa's own representation company organized by Rafa and his agent, Carlos Costa, when Rafa left IMG. Nadal opens in singles against Verdasco. Munar (ATP 683) will face García López.