The Spanish twenty two-time major champion, who turns thirty eight in June, won 6-2 6-3 against inexperienced Italian Flavio Cobolli in their first-round match today.
Now ranked 644th, Nadal was playing for the first time since January because of a hip injury and abdominal issues.
Nadal has indicated 2024 is likely to be his last as a professional player.
After pulling out of last year’s French Open with the hip problem, the former world number one said he planned to retire at the end of this season.
