Beating Rafael Nadal in a clay-court remaining is a mission unimaginable. Or virtually, as a result of solely 5 tennis gamers have been in a position to obtain this milestone in opposition to the best tennis participant in historical past on clay-courts. I consider it’s simpler to win the nationwide lottery than to realize this milestone.
Nuno Borges entered this very choose membership of three-year-olds able to this feat yesterday. Nadal, who has gained 14 titles at Roland Garros in his profession, he has been defeated by solely 5 gamers in a clay-court match remaining, contemplating all occasion classes, from ATP 250 to Majors.
Roger Federer has achieved this feat twice, Novak Djokovic has achieved it 4 occasions, and Andy Murray and Horacio Zeballos have achieved it as soon as, earlier than Portuguese Nuno Borges’ success yesterday. Borges has entered this very unique membership by beating Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 yesterday within the remaining of the ATP 250 match in Bastad. In fact, it is a Nadal who’s mild years away from his greatest stage, however the statistic stays.
Rafael Nadal has solely misplaced in opposition to 5 opponents in remaining on clay, together with yesterday in opposition to Nuno Borges in Bastad
Djokovic ❌❌❌❌
Federer ❌❌
Zeballos ❌
Murray ❌
BORGES ❌ 🆕(by way of @fermurciego) pic.twitter.com/jgg7wVWuOB
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 22, 2024
Murray defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 within the 2015 remaining of the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid. Zeballos beat Nadal within the 2013 remaining of the match in Vina del Mar with a rating of 6-7 7-6 6-4. Roger Federer has crushed Nadal twice within the remaining of a clay-court match: it occurred within the remaining of the ATP Masters 1000 Hamburg 2007, with Federer successful 2-6 6-2 6-0. And once more on the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid 2009, with Federer successful 6-4 6-4. The one who has crushed Rafael Nadal on clay within the remaining probably the most occasions is Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis participant has achieved it 4 occasions: it occurred on the ATP Masters 1000 Rome 2014 with a victory 4-6 6-3 6-3, on the ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo 2013, for 6-2 7-6. And at last in 2011, on the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid (7-5 6-4) and on the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, with a rating of 6-4 6-4.
Nadal was very self-critical within the press convention and admitted within the post-match interview that he was in no way happy with the extent expressed within the remaining misplaced on the ATP 250 match in Bastad in opposition to Borges. The Spanish champion defined that his tennis works significantly better throughout coaching and that he should perceive why he can not do the identical in matches.
“I performed badly. He performed higher than me. I am sorry I performed so badly. I most likely had no vitality left, that is the reality, however I ought to have performed a lot, significantly better than that. It is tough to play worse than that. You even have to go with Nuno. He took benefit of his alternatives and deserved this success. The extent I expressed at the moment could be very removed from what I want to specific. It was a protracted week with lengthy matches and, even when my physique will not be broken, I’m not bodily and mentally used to enjoying 4 days in a row. That is likely one of the causes for my efficiency at the moment. Then there are different causes which can be extra technical and need to do with tennis. I should analyze the match. I’ve plenty of expertise and I’ve to just accept every thing that may come and proceed working to enhance.
I got here right here feeling excellent concerning the stage I expressed in coaching, however I used to be not in a position to present it within the matches. I can’t be happy with my tennis. Clearly I should play significantly better. I’ve to seek out out why I used to be not in a position to compete on the identical stage as I confirmed in coaching. Olympics? I need to play effectively. The Olympic Video games are an important occasion on the planet of sport and it’s particular to signify Spain, to really feel a part of an important workforce. I need to benefit from the competitors, I’m motivated and I hope to seek out the best vitality to compete at the perfect stage,” he analyzed.
Within the on-court interview simply after the match, Rafae had already expressed his emotions concerning the disappointing defeat.
“I need to congratulate Nuno. You performed extremely this week, you have been the perfect of all and also you deserved to win this trophy. I clearly want you all the perfect for the remainder of the season. It was nice to be right here all this time in a powerful place.
I performed some very lengthy matches and at the moment I did not have my greatest day. I attempted to do my greatest, nevertheless it was powerful. I need to thank all of the group, which was impeccable. I got here again 19 years later however I discovered the identical unbelievable and welcoming ambiance. I thank my workforce and my household. I can solely say thanks. It hasn’t been simple within the final two years, however you may have all the time been with me day by day. I’ll by no means cease thanking you. It is a privilege to have performed in entrance of all of you, you may have given me an important push. I do not know if I can come again right here subsequent yr, however I say thanks,” he mentioned.
Borges, as an alternative, expressed all his emotion for successful the title in opposition to the legendary Spaniard.
“I used to be already nervous, after Rafa’s speech much more! I did not suppose I may play a remaining in opposition to Nadal in such a full stadium. I agree with Rafa: it is a match that has nice historical past and is managed very effectively by the organizers. I do know that this was not your greatest match, Rafa. Nonetheless, everybody likes to see you continue to on the court docket. You’re a true inspiration for every thing you may have achieved. I thank my workforce, not all of them are right here. Additionally it is your work that allowed me to realize this consequence. Now I need to benefit from the second. It’s tough to speak with this trophy in my palms. I need to proceed dreaming,” he defined.
