Sports
Nadal loses to Borges in first final since 2022
Rafael Nadal could not wrap up the Swedish Open on a bright note having successfully reached the final of the competition.
The Spaniard was reaching the final of any competition for the fist time since 2022.
Hampered by injury in recent years, the 38-year-old has fallen to 261 in the rankings and opted against playing at Wimbledon this summer to prioritise the Olympics.
Playing at the Swedish Open, Nadal, 22-time Grand Slam champion, fell to world number 51 Nuno Borges in a resounding 6-3 6-2 defeat.
Read Also: Nadal says ‘sad day’ for sports as Federer announces retirement from tennis
Portuguese Borges, playing his first ATP final compared to Nadal’s 131st, took the first set in 46 minutes and won three games in a row in the second to seal victory.
“It’s crazy. I know we all wanted Rafa to win – a part of me wished that too – but something even bigger inside of me really pushed through today,” said 27-year-old Borges.
“I was wishing for this moment for a while already.
“I’m just really happy overall. I really don’t know what to say. I’m very emotional.”
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