Rafael Nadal’s preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics hit a stumbling block on Sunday as he was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by Portuguese seventh seed Nuno Borges in the Swedish Open final.
The 38-year-old Spaniard, playing his first title match since winning the 2022 French Open, struggled against Borges, losing his serve five times in the one-hour and 27-minute contest. This victory marked Borges’ maiden ATP tour title.
Nadal, making his first appearance at the ATP Tour 250 event since winning it as a 19-year-old in 2005, was gearing up for another Olympic medal bid at the Paris 2024 Games.
“Many congratulations to Nuno. You’ve been playing great during the whole week, so you deserve it more than anyone else here… It’s always special winning a title,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said. “I have been here for the week enjoying this amazing place. I really had fun on court, played some very long matches. Today wasn’t my best day, but all the credit to Nuno. He played very well and it was so difficult for me, so well done.”
Nadal missed most of 2023 due to a hip problem, and his comeback earlier this year was hampered by a muscle tear. Small physical issues further affected his preparation for the French Open, where he suffered a first-round exit. The record 14-time French Open winner then skipped Wimbledon to focus on the Olympic tennis tournament, which will take place at Roland-Garros from July 27 to August 4.
Nadal, who won Olympic singles gold in Beijing in 2008 and doubles gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, will team up with four-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz, 21, in the doubles at Paris 2024.
