Rafael Nadal’s comeback bid hit a roadblock as he lost to Nuno Borges in the final of the Nordea Open (ATP 250) in Bastad, Sweden on Sunday. The 38-year-old Spanish tennis legend, playing in his first final since his victory at the 2022 French Open, was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by the seventh-seeded Portuguese player.Borges, ranked 51st in the world and playing in his first ATP final at age 27, broke Nadal’s serve five times en route to securing his maiden ATP tour victory. The match lasted just under an hour and a half, with Borges displaying aggressive play and capitalizing on Nadal’s errors.Despite the loss, Nadal’s week in Bastad wasn’t without positives. The tournament provided him with valuable match practice as he continues his return from a two-month injury break. Nadal had won four consecutive matches to reach the final, showcasing glimpses of his trademark resilience.This defeat comes just days before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, where Nadal is set to compete. The clay courts of Roland Garros, where the Olympic tennis event will be held, have historically been Nadal’s most successful venue. Nadal, who holds golden memories from the Olympics with singles gold in 2008 and doubles gold in 2016, will be looking to bounce back on the familiar Parisian clay.Despite the disappointing result, Nadal remained positive, thanking the tournament organizers and his team for their support. He expressed enjoyment in playing in Bastad and will now shift his focus to the upcoming Olympics.
Key points
- Rafael Nadal lost to Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-2 in the Nordea Open final in Bastad, Sweden.
- This was Nadal’s first final since winning the 2022 French Open, marking his return to competitive tennis.
- Borges, ranked 51st in the world, secured his first ATP tour victory.
- The loss comes just before the Olympic Games in Paris, where Nadal will compete.
