2024 Swedish Open ATP 250 R32 matchup - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s Leo Borg (SWE)

[Hitman]

Crazy to see that Nadal is still getting tight trying to serve a match out.

But Nadal finally beats Borg.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa wins!

 

[ghostofMecir]

Watching this, I'm worried for Rafa against Norrie next round. He is going to have to play a lot better. Borg is not a serious player at all.

It might be that Rafito is taking it easy on the legend’s kid after securing breaks, but you’re right—Borg is not even a challenger level player (think he lost like 4 in a row in challengers coming in to this). Borg hasn’t been this successful on serve in any match I’ve seen him, which is crazy. 2022 Rafito wins this 6-1, 6-2 at WORST.

Crazy to see that Nadal is still getting tight trying to serve a match out.

But Nadal finally beats Borg.

It’s been this way throughout the year, which derives from low confidence.

 

[Hitman]

Overall, not bad for his first match. I was very interested to see this one to see where he was after RG, he seems fine.

 

[mehdimike]

Overall, not bad for his first match. I was very interested to see this one to see where he was after RG, he seems fine.

He was just walking in his return games

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

He has a tougher test next. It good he’s playing norrie as if he overcomes him than he’s improved since April/May time.

We can’t know for sure but I feel he looked better and fitter compared to earlier in the year. Let’s see.

 

[messiahrobins]

So the female commentator i have just said 'so Nadal wins in match up that was a fantasy for so many years but we now got to see in the flesh'.
I mean assuming she realises that wasnt Bjorn Borg, surely she also realises Leo is about 500 levels lower than his dad!

 

[GabeT]

Well at least we now know who the true clay GOAT is

 

[Hitman]

He was just walking in his return games

Come on, he wasn't that bad. He got the crucial break in each set. I think today was more about getting his serve working.

 

[GabeT]

So the female commentator i have just said 'so Nadal wins in match up that was a fantasy for so many years but we now got to see in the flesh'.
I mean assuming she realises that wasnt Bjorn Borg, surely she also realises Leo is about 500 levels lower than his dad!

Must be so hard playing a sport that your dad was so so good at

 

[messiahrobins]

Crazy to see that Nadal is still getting tight trying to serve a match out.

But Nadal finally beats Borg.

Borg has a lot of aura!!

 

[messiahrobins]

Must be so hard playing a sport that your dad was so so good at

Yes it is, very few children are as good as their ATG parents, if any.

 

[ghostofMecir]

Yes it is, very few children are as good as their ATG parents, if any.

“Nothing grows under a big tree”

 

[Rattie]

I was really annoyed at him after that Rio final.

Raz was in serious pain in that match, but he kept playing on for the fans, knowing full well he wasn't winning. Norrie could clearly see Raz was not moving and just smacking winners to compensate, when asked, he said he saw no hampered movement. LOL

Norrie has always given me the creeps. Has an inflated opinion of himself which many don’t seem to see, at least here in the UK. Can’t stand him.

 

[Tano]

Well at least we now know who the true clay GOAT is

Never in doubt!

 

[Rattie]

I agree completely, but I'd still like to see the occasional point or rally with a little more fluidity from Rafa. Then again to play devils advocate, it would be unnecessarily dangerous to go close to full bore in these conditions.

He’d already had a fall and he keeps mentioning the weather in interviews. It’s going to be in his head given his injuries so it’s wise to do only what he needs to.

 

[TennisFan3]

Nadal looks like a pale shadow of the player he used to be. And even much worse than the 2022 version.
He's almost 38 now. How much longer does he want to keep doing this? With his reduced movement, he won't be in tier A list, even on clay.
For some reason, never thought I would see Nadal being like Murray - playing for the sake of playing without being a genuine slam contender. I don't believe Rafa will keep hanging on the tour forever.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I find it best to vote after the match is over

 

[Tano]

Nadal looks like a pale shadow of the player he used to be. And even much worse than the 2022 version.
He's almost 38 now. How much longer does he want to keep doing this? With his reduced movement, he won't be in tier A list, even on clay.
For some reason, never thought I would see Nadal being like Murray - playing for the sake of playing without being a genuine slam contender. I don't believe Rafa will keep hanging on the tour forever.

What does Nadal plan to do next when the Games in Paris are over?

 

[Nostradamus]

Rafa didn't look good at all. look for him to be manhandled by norrie in next round. this is not good

 

[Rattie]

Nadal looks like a pale shadow of the player he used to be. And even much worse than the 2022 version.
He's almost 38 now. How much longer does he want to keep doing this? With his reduced movement, he won't be in tier A list, even on clay.
For some reason, never thought I would see Nadal being like Murray - playing for the sake of playing without being a genuine slam contender. I don't believe Rafa will keep hanging on the tour forever.

He’s hardly Murray. It’s one match and he wasn’t a total walkover against Zverev a few weeks ago. Give the guy a break!
He’s already 38 - keep up.
He wants to play a final season and his massive fanbase wants to see that and support him enjoying his last hurrah.
Bore off

“ratty”

 

[DIMI_D]

Id like to see Rafa at some point play Rublev or Ruud. Norrie is a good test but he is a lefty so its a bit different to guage things.
Rafa id like to see get to say where Djokovic and Zverev are, i.e better than everyone else not named Sinner and Alcaraz. He is never getting to their levels now but get back to top 5-10 level will be great. With a bit of luck if at that level, he could win titles as nobody can predict sickness and injury, look at sinner at Wimbledon for example.

That would be a dream come true I’m not holding my breath though. I’m glad he is going out on his own terms

 

[ghostofMecir]

Rafa didn't look good at all. look for him to be manhandled by norrie in next round. this is not good

Kind of surprised given that he’s been in the clay for like 4-5 months now.

 

[Rattie]

Kind of surprised given that he’s been in the clay for like 4-5 months now.

Kind of surprised you are listening to that narrative if you didn’t watch the match.

 

[octobrina10]

He plays with his watch on in every single match going back over 10 years

Yep, Rafa is getting paid to wear the Richard Mille watches during his matches (= to test the shock resistance of the watches). He has helped develop the RM watches for almost 15 years. The RM watches weigh less than 20 grams and he barely feels a watch on his wrist.

 

[octobrina10]

So, here we go. First Rafa match in over 1,5 months will take place tomorrow.
Rafa, in his bid for Olympics, is playing at one of his two pre-Oly Clay court tournaments in Sweden, followed by the potential participation in Hamburg ATP 500 in Germany.

Leo Borg on the other hand, is looking for the biggest win of his career on home soil.

Who wins? How many sets?
Discuss and vote.

Vamos Rafa!

The Hamburg, ATP 500, tournament takes place this week.

 

[octobrina10]

Nadal looks like a pale shadow of the player he used to be. And even much worse than the 2022 version.
He's almost 38 now. How much longer does he want to keep doing this? With his reduced movement, he won't be in tier A list, even on clay.
For some reason, never thought I would see Nadal being like Murray - playing for the sake of playing without being a genuine slam contender. I don't believe Rafa will keep hanging on the tour forever.

You have always whined about Rafa, no matter what he is doing, Djokofan. You even whined about his girlfriend (now wife) and wedding.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Missed the match, had to sleep. Ill be here for Rafa vs Norrie

 

[ghostofMecir]

Kind of surprised you are listening to that narrative if you didn’t watch the match.

Not sure what this means. Did you think Nadal played well? He looked rusty? He wasn’t going out because the opponent is not a serious player nor threat for anything?

 

[Rattie]

Not sure what this means. Did you think Nadal played well? He looked rusty? He wasn’t going out because the opponent is not a serious player nor threat for anything?

Yes and yes.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

.

 

[Nappa]

Norrie will be a much more telling test

 

[speedysteve]

Watched the match on TennisTV replay.
Good signs for Nadal.
Going to be interesting Vs Norrie.

Leo keeps improving, and is in his own race. Doesn't matter if he takes until he's 28 or whatever, to get where he wants to go.

Nadal's OCD makes me laugh at times. Look how it he very neatly put his previous shirt out to dry so to speak, not a single crease is allowed. LOL

Having some OCD people around is good for order and structure.
Show the others how to tidy up and be precise in many things

 

[speedysteve]

Must be so hard playing a sport that your dad was so so good at

Homer (ancient Greek poet) summed it up some 2800 years ago..

"Few sons are like their fathers - many are worse, few better"