Rafael Nadal faced a disappointing defeat in the Swedish Open final, losing to Portugal’s Nuno Borges in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. This match marked a significant moment for Nadal, as it was his first ATP Tour final since 2022 and the farthest he’s reached in an event in a long time. 

The Spaniard was also playing doubles at the event, paired with Casper Rudd. But they both had to pull out at the semifinal to allow Nadal to prepare for the final.

Borges, who claimed his first ATP title with this victory, delivered a memorable performance throughout the match. He broke Nadal’s serve five times, and he showed great composure against the 22-time Grand Slam champion. 

As the match concluded, Borges celebrated by slamming down an ace before falling to his knees, overwhelmed by what the victory meant to him. “I don’t know what to say,” he said in his post-match interview. “I was wishing for this moment for a while already. It’s crazy; tennis doesn’t happen when you expect it sometimes.” He also added that he, like fans present at the venue, all wanted Nadal to win, but a stronger force within him edged him to victory. 

For Nadal, this loss was a setback in his preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games at Roland Garros, although the fact that he made it that far is worth celebrating and gives fans some hope over how he would perform later this month. His participation in Bastad was worth it. 

The 38-year-old Spanish legend opted not to participate in Wimbledon this year to avoid the risk of injury associated with transitioning between clay and grass surfaces. His focus has been on regaining form and fitness, and while this final did not yield the desired result, it provided valuable match experience.