Rafael Nadal advanced to the final of the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden, marking his first final appearance since the 2022 French Open. The Spanish tennis star secured his spot in the final by overcoming Duje Ajdukovic in a hard-fought match that ended with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Nadal, who had faced a tough challenge in the quarterfinals against Mariano Navone, acknowledged the difficulty of his match against Ajdukovic, particularly praising his opponent's backhand skills. Despite a slow start and being a break down in the second set, Nadal managed to turn the tide in his favor and secure the victory.
The 38-year-old Nadal expressed his satisfaction at reaching the final after a prolonged absence from such stages, emphasizing the significance of the achievement. He is set to face either Nuno Borges or Thiago Agustin Tirante in the final match of the tournament.
This tournament in Sweden holds special significance for Nadal, as it marks his return to the event where he clinched the title at the age of 19 in 2005. His participation in the clay-court tournament serves as preparation for the upcoming Olympic tournament on the clay surface of Roland Garros in Paris.
Nadal opted to skip Wimbledon this year to avoid the risk of injury associated with switching surfaces from grass to clay and back. The decision was influenced by his ongoing struggles with hip and abdominal injuries over the past year and a half.
