Rafael Nadal will not be returning to the court docket as we speak for his Bastad doubles match with Casper Ruud after the 38-year-old determined to withdraw from the doubles occasion, citing health considerations after back-to-back very demanding and exhausting singles matches.
A day after edging out Mariano Navone in a three-set thriller that lasted practically 4 hours, Nadal endured one other grueling match as we speak after getting back from a set right down to beat Duje Ajdukovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 in over two hours of play for a Bastad closing spot.
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After Nadal spent over six hours on the court docket during the last two days, the overall perception and expectation was that he would most likely skip his and Ruud’s doubles semifinal match versus Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos. And precisely that occurred because the 38-year-old Spaniard needs to attempt to recuperate for tomorrow’s closing towards both Nuno Borges or Thiago Agustin Tirante.
Earlier than the withdrawal, Nadal and Ruud beat Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela of their first match as a doubles duo earlier than saving a match level in a quarterfinal 6-4 3-6 12-10 win over Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin.
BREAKING: Rafael Nadal has confirmed in press he has withdrawn from the doubles with Casper Ruud. He would have cherished to play however he has performed 6 hours and might’t danger the ultimate and his physique for tomorrow. #NordeaOpen
— Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) July 20, 2024
Nadal set for his first closing in over two years
When Nadal returns to the court docket on Sunday, he shall be taking part in his first singles closing for the reason that 2022 French Open.
“All the time it’s a nice feeling to be again in a closing. I’ve gained 4 matches in a row, one thing I used to be not in a position to make occur since two years in the past. Lots of issues occurred, however nonetheless on this means of recovering, quite a lot of issues I misplaced, as a result of I had a vital hip surgical procedure nearly one yr in the past,” Nadal stated after beating Ajdukovic.
“So issues weren’t going that straightforward, however I’m preventing. I’m preventing throughout the entire match to be the place I’m as we speak, and I feel matches like yesterday’s, like as we speak’s, assist to enhance quite a lot of issues on court docket. I’m pleased with that, and let’s see if I’m able to play slightly bit higher tomorrow.”
For Nadal, this has already been a large week and an important preparation for the Paris Olympics.
