Rafael Nadal misplaced the Swedish Open closing in straight units to Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
In Bastad, Borges overcame Nadal 6-3 6-2, ending the match slamming down an ace earlier than he fell to his knees and buried his palms in his face, an indication of simply what the victory meant to Borges.
It was Borges’ first title on the ATP Tour. “I don’t know what to say,” he mirrored afterwards.
“I was wishing for this moment for a while already. It’s crazy, tennis doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes.”
Borges delivered a rock-solid efficiency in opposition to the 22-time Grand Slam winner. He was constant all through as he broke Nadal’s serve 5 occasions.
Nadal’s first ATP Tour closing since 2022 resulted in defeat. The Spanish legend was enjoying on this clay-court occasion to arrange himself for the Olympic Video games at Roland Garros.
The 38-year-old didn’t enter Wimbledon this yr as a result of he didn’t wish to threat damage switching from clay to grass and again once more earlier than the Olympics.
Nadal has been recovering from hip and stomach accidents over the past 18 months.
“I know we all wanted Rafa to win and part of me wished that too,” Borges added. “But something even bigger inside of me really pushed through today, through the emotions, through all the ups and downs.
“Once more it wasn’t even about enjoying my greatest tennis right this moment. It was about arising within the massive moments the place I gained it and I could not have performed higher. Simply actually glad total.
“I really don’t know what to say I’m very emotional.”
What’s arising on Sky Sports activities Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Discover out all of the methods to look at tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA excursions
Within the run-up to the ultimate Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you may watch all the largest tennis stars in motion reside on Sky Sports activities as they compete throughout the hard-court season.
- Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
- Iasi Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
- Umag Open (ATP 250) 21-26 July
- Atlanta Open (ATP 250) – 22-28 July
- Generali Open, Kitzbuhel (ATP 250) – 22-28 July
Watch the WTA and ATP Excursions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities Tennis. Stream Sky Sports activities Tennis and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
