A little after 6 p.m. on a breezy midweek summer evening in Vina del Mar, Chile, Rafael Nadal walked on to the clay court at the 2013 VTR Open after a seven-month injury absence that had many fearing for his career. The whirling click, click, click of cameras and shouts of "Rafa! Rafa!" echoed around the venue as the 11-time grand slam winner walked across the court tight lipped and unsmiling, waving half-heartedly at the crowd. Rolando Santos was there for CNN with his camera.
The King holds court —
A little after 6 p.m. on a breezy midweek summer evening in Vina del Mar, Chile, Rafael Nadal walked on to the clay court at the 2013 VTR Open after a seven-month injury absence that had many fearing for his career. The whirling click, click, click of cameras and shouts of "Rafa! Rafa!" echoed around the venue as the 11-time grand slam winner walked across the court tight lipped and unsmiling, waving half-heartedly at the crowd. Rolando Santos was there for CNN with his camera.
Rolando Santos
After receiving a first-round bye, Nadal drew the tall and muscular Argentine Federico Delbonis -- the kind of opponent that has often given him problems.
Dangerous opponent —
After receiving a first-round bye, Nadal drew the tall and muscular Argentine Federico Delbonis -- the kind of opponent that has often given him problems.
Rolando Santos/CNN
Seven months after a shocking second-round loss at Wimbledon, Nadal still had more questions about his future than answers despite coming through a doubles match the previous day.
Back on the baseline —
Seven months after a shocking second-round loss at Wimbledon, Nadal still had more questions about his future than answers despite coming through a doubles match the previous day.
Rolando Santos/CNN
Nadal's first volleys were less than impressive and it was Delbonis that took the first two games. The world No. 5 was tentative and rusty.
Stuttering start —
Nadal's first volleys were less than impressive and it was Delbonis that took the first two games. The world No. 5 was tentative and rusty.
Rolando Santos/CNN
It was as if as more attention was focused on Nadal's knee than his play. The crowd sucked in their breath and winced whenever the Spaniard slid on the clay court or landed hard after a serve.
Knee watch —
It was as if as more attention was focused on Nadal's knee than his play. The crowd sucked in their breath and winced whenever the Spaniard slid on the clay court or landed hard after a serve.
Rolando Santos/CNN
About a half an hour into the match, Nadal chased a ball sideways across the court and slid on the clay surface but kept his balance. The look on his face as he came to a stop was a five-second blur of emotions. He looked wide-eyed at his knee as if expecting pain or a problem, before a trace of a smile crossed his face. He turned towards his opponent, his body language signaling "game on."
Slip and slide —
About a half an hour into the match, Nadal chased a ball sideways across the court and slid on the clay surface but kept his balance. The look on his face as he came to a stop was a five-second blur of emotions. He looked wide-eyed at his knee as if expecting pain or a problem, before a trace of a smile crossed his face. He turned towards his opponent, his body language signaling "game on."
Rolando Santos/CNN
The intensity of his face and body increased as the match wore on, although most of Nadal's points were gifts from an over-aggressive opponent.
Ferocious forehand —
The intensity of his face and body increased as the match wore on, although most of Nadal's points were gifts from an over-aggressive opponent.
Rolando Santos/CNN
Late in the match, as the shadows covered most of the court, a heckler shouted, "How is your knee Rafa?" The stadium responded with a loud and angry "Shhhh!" at the breach of etiquette. Nadal responded in his own way with a cannon-like serve.
Warrior spirit —
Late in the match, as the shadows covered most of the court, a heckler shouted, "How is your knee Rafa?" The stadium responded with a loud and angry "Shhhh!" at the breach of etiquette. Nadal responded in his own way with a cannon-like serve.
At times it seemed like Nadal was working on specific shots after the layoff, as he tested his accuracy.
Game face —
At times it seemed like Nadal was working on specific shots after the layoff, as he tested his accuracy.
Rolando Santos/CNN
At the end of the match Nadal smiled, enjoying the applause and letting affection from the crowd and the moment sink in following his 6-3 6-2 win. He later went on to reach Saturday's semifinals.
One down... —
At the end of the match Nadal smiled, enjoying the applause and letting affection from the crowd and the moment sink in following his 6-3 6-2 win. He later went on to reach Saturday's semifinals.
Rolando Santos/CNN