Defending champion in the singles was Fernando Verdasco , but he did not appear to defend his title. This year's competition was won by Rafael Nadal , in the final - like a week earlier in Monte Carlo - he prevailed against his compatriot David Ferrer . This was Nadal's sixth title in Barcelona, so he remained unbeaten (he did not run in 2010) since his last defeat in Barcelona in 2003; overall, this was Nadal's second season and 45th career title. Defending champions in doubles were Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić , but they did not compete together this year. The double competition was won by the Mexican-American duo Santiago González / Scott Lipsky ; in the final they defeated the top seeded Bryan brothers after they had defeated the second and third seeded pairs Mirny / Nestor and Melzer / Zimonjić in the course of the tournament . It was their first joint title; for González it was the first, for Lipsky the third title of the season.
The field of participants in the single competition consisted of 56 players, that of the double competition consisted of 24 pairs. The 8 top seeded players in singles or pairings in doubles each got a bye into the second round. The total prize money was 1,550,000 euros; the total financial liabilities were 1,995,000 euros.
The qualification took place from April 16-17, 2011. Seven qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament. There were also two lucky losers.
The following prize money and world ranking points were paid out or credited for reaching the respective round. Players who moved into the main draw via qualification received the specified qualification points in addition to those for reaching the respective round. Otherwise the amounts are not to be understood as cumulative. Prize money for the double competition applies per team.