He has won the title here on four occasions. Only ever lost one match. He is the red-hot favourite, and he was starting his campaign against a teenager ranked No.655 in the world. So how did Rafael Nadal feel on Monday? “Really bad!” he grinned.

Truth be told, he was not on top form. His 18-year-old opponent Gianni Mina – runner-up in the juniors’ tournament last year – carved out nine break points throughout the two-and-a-half hour match, but each time Rafa stepped up to the plate and saved. His second serve was somewhat of a lottery (by his own lofty standards), but at the end of the day, he battled his own nerves and the partisan crowd who were right behind the French youngster to emerge victorious 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

“I was practising really well all the days, I played very well at three tournaments (winning in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid) but the first day here is always a little bit more nervous than usual,” the No.2 seed smiled. “I think I played bad, but I won anyway, without problems, so that's always important and positive thing. But I can do a lot better next round.

“Always the feeling is a little bit different, and I have to pass this day. I remember the four times that I won here - I always had really bad first matches. I was a little bit surprised to be nervous like this, because the other years I didn't practise well before the tournament (which made me) a little bit more nervous to play here, but not this year. I practised really well so I hope it is only a little bit of an accident today,” he continued.

In the second round, Nadal will have the advantage of at least having heard of his opponent – Horacio Zeballos of Argentina. “I know him a little because I have friends who know him. I was told he serves pretty well, that he hits very strongly. Therefore, I have to be more regular and more consistent. I'll see if I can read his game, but we'll see in the future. I'm quite prepared for this, and I trust I'll play well.” Indeed, most impartial observers trust that Rafa will play well – for another two weeks…