Rafael Nadal's impressive winning streak at the Nordea Open came to an end on Sunday as he was defeated by Nuno Borges in the final. The Portuguese player, seeded seventh, secured his first ATP Tour title by breaking Nadal's serve five times during the match, ultimately winning 6-3, 6-2.
Reflecting on his unexpected victory, Borges expressed his surprise at the outcome, acknowledging the widespread desire for Nadal to emerge victorious. Despite this, he credited his inner determination for propelling him to success on the court.
Nadal's appearance at the tournament marked his return to the Swedish event for the first time since his triumph as a 19-year-old in 2005. The Spanish tennis star's participation served as preparation for the upcoming Olympic tournament on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.
Having opted to skip Wimbledon to avoid the transition to grass courts and minimize injury risks, the 38-year-old Nadal has been managing hip and abdominal issues over the past 18 months.
