Rafael Nadal could have been disillusioned about not attending to play at Wimbledon this yr however he has zero regrets about skipping your entire grass season as he believes that was the fitting resolution contemplating the circumstances he was in.
After choosing up an damage in his first comeback match, Nadal suffered setbacks in his restoration earlier than returning to motion in Barcelona in mid-April. However whereas the 38-year-old Spaniard was capable of play in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, he clearly wasn’t pushing his physique to the fullest on the court docket till the French Open – the place he misplaced in straight units to Alexander Zverev within the first spherical.
In his post-match press convention, Nadal indicated that he would very possible miss the grass swing and as an alternative keep on clay so he may observe there for a month earlier than the Paris Olympics. And after performing some onerous work on the observe court docket and coaching, Nadal resumed motion at this week’s ATP 250 in Bastad – which serves the Spaniard as his remaining preparation for the Olympics.
“I like taking part in tennis. After Roland Garros, it saddened me that I may solely practice for per week on the bodily degree I wanted to present myself the possibility to be aggressive on the Tour. That’s why I made a decision to maintain coaching, to see how my physique reacted with the Olympics in sight. Skipping the grass season was the fitting resolution,” Nadal mentioned.
Nadal cracks a hilarious joke after his Bastad return begins with a win
On Tuesday, Nadal performed his first singles match on the clay courts of Bastad in 19 years. And it was a victorious return for the Spaniard, who beat Leo Borg 6-3 6-4.
“I’m completely satisfied to play on clay right here in Bastad and look ahead to being at Roland Garros in two weeks for the Olympics, which supplies me further motivation,” Nadal famous.
A day earlier, Nadal additionally began his Bastad doubles run with Casper Ruud they usually gained their opener in two units however solely after two rain delays. However towards Borg, Nadal did not need to cope with one other rain delay – and that was one thing that made him completely satisfied.
“Nice emotions. It is true that there have been some on and off circumstances by way of climate, however we’re fortunate that we have now been capable of play the entire match with out rain in the present day. I am completely satisfied for that,” Nadal mentioned after his opening singles win in Bastad.
After making it clear that he was thrilled to be again in Bastad, 2005 Bastad champion Nadal joked that he was “the defending champion” since that is his first look on the match since his win 19 years in the past.
“I am defending the title,” Nadal joked.
“Enjoying in entrance of a full crowd like this implies rather a lot to me. It provides me vitality to maintain training every single day. Even within the harder moments, I’ve been capable of maintain going with the assistance of the workforce. The followers have a big impact on that. They provide me a tremendous vitality. At this time, I’ve to say thanks very a lot to the Spanish followers right here, however particularly the Swedish, since I have never been capable of play right here since a very long time in the past.”
Nadal praises Borg but additionally Carlos Alcaraz
When the Bastad draw was launched and it was revealed that Nadal would tackle Bjorg Borg’s son, the matchup immediately drew main consideration – not as a result of it was anticipated to be a showdown however extra as a result of 21-year-old Leo is the son of among the best gamers in tennis historical past and he was taking up dwelling soil towards Nadal, who can also be broadly thought to be one of many biggest gamers ever.
And whereas Borg misplaced in straight units, he was aggressive – did not embarrass himself – and later earned reward from the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
“It’s an enormous honor to play towards the son of one of many largest legends within the historical past of our sport,” Nadal mentioned after beating Borg.
2019: Nadal reveals the one retired participant he’d like to compete towards could be Bjorn Borg
2024: Nadal faces Bjorn Borg’s 21-year-old son, Leo, in his native Sweden
🇪🇸 🇸🇪 @RafaelNadal #NordeaOpen pic.twitter.com/M319qgWomr
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 16, 2024
Additionally, Nadal acknowledged Carlos Alcaraz’s spectacular Wimbledon and the 21-year-old Spaniard attending to 4 Grand Slam titles. When requested about Alcaraz, Nadal tipped the 21-year-old to be “among the best in historical past.”
“My impression is that we’re speaking a few participant who’s going to be among the best in historical past. That’s my feeling. He’s a participant with nice potential. Life can change rapidly, that’s the reality. You by no means know what can occur sooner or later. However in the present day if we have now to foretell what is going on in his profession, we predict unbelievable issues,” Nadal mentioned of Alcaraz.
