Rafael Nadal made a 20-minute air dash on Tuesday to honour his commitment of planting a ceremonial tree in honour of royalty as the king of tennis intensified his preparations for his Bangkok debut at the Thailand Open.

The world number one only returned to the capital on Monday after spending a beach holiday at Hua Hin 200 kilometres to the south. He flew back down for the brief appearance at the place he had just left, then returned to the practise courts at the Impact arena.

Nadal’s opening opponent in the second round after a bye will be Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans, the number 195 who defeated Dane Frederik Nielsen of 6-2, 6-3 on Tuesday.

Bemelmans has played in only three ATP matches, losing them all this season. His chances of going 0-4 look strong in the face of a rested and revitalised Nadal, winner of the US Open plus Paris and Wimbledon this season. The Spanish holder of six 2010 titles is playing Bangkok for the first time after begging off injured at the last two editions.

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