Rafael Nadal is set to compete in the Bastad Open final in 2024, a tournament he holds in high regard.
Nineteen years ago, he played in Bastad, and now he’s back to gauge his readiness for the upcoming Paris Olympics next week. Practicing since his loss to Zverev at Roland Garros over a month ago isn’t quite the same as real matches.
Arriving in Sweden and engaging in intense matches like his nearly four-hour battle against Mariano Navone is just what Nadal needs . Despite being 38, he firmly denies that this event is mere preparation. He’s been working hard since Roland Garros and sees this tournament as more than just practice.
Importance of Bastad Open:
Some might think he’s only being respectful towards the event, but after witnessing his four-hour struggle on court, it’s clear how much it means to him. “Honestly,” Nadal said, “I never said that it’s a preparation for anything. When I’m playing tournaments, I never take a tournament like a preparation for another.”
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal | 38 | 215 | 7 - 5 |
He further clarified: “Just when I’m coming back from a long period of injury, maybe, but I was not competing for a while; I was practicing, so I didn’t take this tournament as a preparation.”
Fans might feel that Nadal’s dedication shows how every match matters to him now.
For Nadal, this event serves as an important benchmark after weeks of clay practice. Since arriving in Sweden, his sole focus has been on the Bastad Open rather than the Olympics happening next week.
“I take this tournament as an important event for me to try to play well and see how far I can go,” he explained. “The Olympics are going to be in one week… but today I’m focused on trying to recover for tomorrow.”
Reaching the final wasn’t easy; it involved enduring grueling matches like fighting back from a set down against Duje Ajdukovic. Every match at this stage of his career holds significance because he’s not playing as frequently.
“Every tournament that I play at this stage of my career is important because I do not play very often,” Nadal admitted. “So every week it’s special for me.”
What do you think about Rafa’s journey?
