2024 Swedish Open ATP 250 Finals matchup - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s [7] Nuno Borges (POR)
- Thread starter ghostofMecir
- Start date
Rafa the King
Hall of Fame
For me he was. From midway through the first set until midway through the third he played a very respectable level which would have imo been sufficient against around 90% of the top 100.
Tallawah Tennis
Semi-Pro
Borges, nice on court interview. Raffers showed his fight again this tournament. Kudos. Historically thrives on getting match play under his belt, so maybe this run will help in the Olympics. Raffers speaking like the great champion that he is and Borges also speaking well. Good job to win the 1st ATP title.
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Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
Congrats to Nuno on his 1st ATP title! 
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
There is only one way to prevent new entries to that list.
ghostofMecir
Legend
Not too good of a day—had the over in games in both this one and the Berrettini match.
King_ Zeglan12
Professional
Disappointing end for Rafa but fair play to Borges.
All in all as a Nadal fan, I see this is a positive week with Nadal coming through multiple tough matches. Bodes well for the Olympics
All in all as a Nadal fan, I see this is a positive week with Nadal coming through multiple tough matches. Bodes well for the Olympics
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
One is a ATP 250 vs a no name player.
Other is Wimbledon vs Alcaraz.
No comparison really.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
It's you who are comparing now.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
Yep.
jl809
Legend
I think so long as Nadal didn't get some physical issue again, this week has been a positive for him, especially for his fans who had some nice matches en route.
Anyone expecting there to be some match that just unlocks his 2022 level again might need to temper their expectations though.
I didn't realise Borges was 27? In my head he's only been around a few years
Anyone expecting there to be some match that just unlocks his 2022 level again might need to temper their expectations though.
I didn't realise Borges was 27? In my head he's only been around a few years
ghostofMecir
Legend
It’s not about matches anymore — he doesn’t have the movement and cannot out hit anybody. He was outhit by Adjokovicovic, Navone, Borges. It’s basically a miracle he came back in that secomed set vs. Norrie and then pulled out the Navone match.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Nadal is just gonna have to win every clay final he's in from now on...
Hitman
Bionic Poster
He couldn't have asked for a better draw to take the title, and it turned into a titanic war for him, and in the final he was simply outclassed by a player who has no business beating him in that manner.
Soul_Evisceration
Hall of Fame
Tough loss for Nadal but it was asking for too much after the marathons he had in his 2 previous matches.
The only thing that could reassure Nadal is if he wins in Doubles Olympics with Alcaraz as he doesn't stand a chance in Singles Olympics.
The only thing that could reassure Nadal is if he wins in Doubles Olympics with Alcaraz as he doesn't stand a chance in Singles Olympics.
counterloop
Professional
He is older and has spent a lot of time away from the sport due to injuries the past couple of years. Nobody should expect the Rafa we are used to seeing. Enjoy the rest of his career with little to no expectations of winning. King of Clay.....there will only be one in our lifetime. No matter what.
Im(moral) Winner
G.O.A.T.
RAFAbros it’s so over
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
hi guys, sorry i'm late... are there any wings left? 
That list will keep growing if he decides to keep playing "for the passion".
Hitman
Bionic Poster
roysid
Legend
Who are the other 4. Federer and djokovic for sure. Murray beat him once i think. Who is the 4th one. Almagro?
Hitman
Bionic Poster
Zaballes
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
zEballOs
Whatdjokersdo
New User
Knowing his track record he could pull out of the Olympics. Based on that performance he probably should. This week has been a disaster for Nadal. He’s expended far too much energy at a weak 250 tournament that he wanted to use as a warm up event.
Whatdjokersdo
New User
Knowing his track record he could pull out of the Olympics. Based on that performance he probably should. This week has been a disaster for Nadal. He’s expended far too much energy at a weak 250 tournament that he wanted to use as a warm up event.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Top 50 top 100 it's basically the same level. The dude sh at himself for no reason. This wasnt 2012 Nadal. I genuinely think Nadal at his current level should be losing to even guys ranked at 100. Hes that bad from what Ive seen. Winning on his name/reputation alone until he meets someone who doesnt sh it himself.
Norrie should be freaking embarassad AF for losing to this Nadal.
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MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Rafa actually played well against Norrie, his problem is his movement and serve. He had to play too much tennis and ran out of gas
ncgator
Rookie
I doubt it since he likely will not make any more ATP Finals.
Winners or Errors
Legend
I don't know. Nadal looked pretty wiped out today. I guess we'll see what that means moving forward, but does he have the legs to win another big clay title? Not looking like it at the moment.
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
No it isn't...
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
It's the same basically. If you have a top 50 vs top 100 guy in a Slam it's usually 55-45 for the top 50 guy, the difference isn't that big. Top 30 makes a difference and the higher you go the bigger the difference.
Just rewatching this it’s striking how underpowered Nadal seemed this match. It wasn’t just the movement, he just wasn’t doing damage the way he needed to off neutral balls. It’s sad to watch
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
First of all, Ajdukovic was ranked 130 heading into the event and had only won his 2nd ATP match of his career prior to this event... and iinm, it was a Davis Cup match against someone ranked even lower than him...
Borges had won 13 ATP matches this year alone... including reaching the 4th round in Rome and at the AO where he gave Medvedev a solid battle.
The difference is huge.
counterloop
Professional
Funny responses.....nothing can tarnish Rafa's remarkable clay court records and or overall tennis accomplishments. His legacy is cemented in history forever. Is it tough to see our superhero struggle against journeymen on tour? Yes, but, I'd rather see him play than not, regardless of the results. If that's what he wants to do, he has the right to retire when he is ready.
Tennisfan339
Professional
Borges won an ATP title without beating a single top-100. Has it even happened in men's tennis history?
KingCarlitos
Hall of Fame
I don't think you can classify clay Rafa as just a top 100 despite the fact that he is 38 and on his last legs.
Tennisfan339
Professional
Borges beat
- Pellegrino #153
- Rocha #182
- Skatov #223
- Tirante #121
- Nadal #261
All I am asking is : has it ever happened in tennis history? It's a simple question, Yes or No.
KingCarlitos
Hall of Fame
you'd have to ask the internet...
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
I dont know.
Happened two years on the bounce at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport. In 2017 Isner beat #201 Groth, #203 Novikov, #142 Fratengelo and #249 Ebden to take the title (he won each match in straights and only one set went to a tiebreak - surely a personal tournament record), and in 2018 Steve Johnson beat #208 Christian Harrison, #156 Sela, #124 Granollers and #161 Ramanathan on his way to victory.
never write off Ralph making more clay 250 finals! Vamos!
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
Hurkacz at 2021 Delray Beach was another one. I'm sure there are more examples.
Hubert Hurkacz | Player Activity | ATP Tour | Tennis
Official tennis match records of Hubert Hurkacz including results, opponents, match stats. Filter by year and tournament.
www.atptour.com
ncgator
Rookie
Nadal is done winning ATP titles, it’s over…
tennis24x7
Hall of Fame
I have never felt the hype people gave Norrie, I don't think anyone from britain is good enough.
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