World number 2 & 19-time Grand Slam singles winner Rafael Nadal will return to competitive tennis after a 7-month Covid-19 forced break at the Italian Open next week. After concerns regarding the global pandemic, the Spaniard had skipped the ongoing US Open. 19 out of the top 20 ranked men's singles players have confirmed their participation apart from Roger Federer who is missing due to an injury. The Italian Open will be Nadal's main preparation tournament on the clay surface leading up to the French Open in Paris.