Rafael Nadal returned to the clay courts in Bastad for the first time in 19 years by teaming up with Casper Ruud to win a first-round doubles match at the Nordea Open on Monday.
Rafa won the singles title in southern Sweden as a 19-year-old in 2005 and this is his first time back since then as he prepares for the Olympic tournament on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.
Ruudal won against second-seeded Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela 6-1, 6-4 in front of a packed crowd in Bastad.
Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to play with a good friend and amazing player like Casper. It was a good match, and we played quite well for our first time playing together. I’m happy to be back here after almost 20 years.
It’s a beautiful thing for me. I have great memories from this place from 2003, 2004, and 2005. I’m enjoying this week and hopefully, I’ll keep going.
I think the Spanish team played amazingly from the first day of the Euros to the last. The whole country is very proud. Yesterday was also a very happy day with Carlos winning Wimbledon. It was an amazing day for Spanish sport. Sport generates motivation and passion for people, which is good for the country without a doubt. I hope to see Norway in the next important competitions. (laughs while looking at Casper)
Rafa Nadal
He’s getting old, so I’m not sure how his body feels having to start and stop all the time.
Casper Ruud
So thrilled to see Rafa and Casper play together…just watched replay, will watch it again after posting.🤩😍 Good luck to both in singles and doubles!🍀🫶 Hope to see Casper lift his first grand slam 🏆 soon.
Ruudal is making all of us happy!
Great friends and good vibes. Congrats and enjoy Bastad, Rafa and Casper👏👍🎾🥰
So fantastic to see then win and Rafa looking amazing. Another verg happy day along with Carlos’s win. So wonderfull to see Rafa back on court where he belongs 🥰🥰🥰