Watch: Rafael Nadal hopes to be competitive if body allows after 2nd round Barcelona Open exit

It was a bittersweet goodbye for Rafael Nadal on Wednesday at the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard had been unsure whether he would be ready to compete this week at the ATP 500, but he ultimately took to court and won a match before falling to Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-1.

While a player who is a record 12-time champion in Barcelona was never likely to be wholly satisfied with a second-round exit, Nadal was happy he had the chance to say farewell to the event in what he has hinted will be the final season of his ATP Tour career.

"For me I had the chance to say goodbye here on court,” said Nadal.

“That means a lot to me, because I probably felt one week ago that I was not able to play in this event. That would have been painful, so at least I played, I enjoyed the game, and now is the moment to keep going.”