Nadal enjoyed an impressive run to the final – his first since the French Open in 2022 – with victories against Bjorn Borg’s son, British star Cameron Norrie and a superb comeback win against Mariano Navone.
However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion looked noticeably fatigued at points in Sunday’s final as seventh-seed Borges romped to a straight-set victory to secure his first ATP title.
‘Congratulations to Nuno. You played great all week. You deserve it more than anyone else,’ Nadal said after his defeat.
‘Enjoy your moment. It’s a special moment winning a title. I wish you all the very best for the rest of the season.
‘I have been here during the whole week and a half enjoying this amazing place. I really had fun on court. I played some long and good matches. Today wasn’t my best day. But all credit to Nuno. He played very very well and it was difficult for me, so well done.’
Both players exchanged several breaks of serve in a topsy-turvy first set before Borges took control, breaking for a third time to lead 4-2 before closing out the first set in 41 minutes.
Nadal showed good resolve to deny Borges an early break in his first service game of the second set but produced an uncharacteristically poor backhand drop shot with the court at his mercy to hand his opponent a 3-2 lead.
And the Portuguese 27-year-old, seemingly unfazed by his first ATP Tour final and competitive match against Nadal, took full advantage, breaking Nadal once again to take the second set 6-2 and wrap up a convincing victory.
‘I don’t know what to say. I think I was wishing for this moment for a while already. Tennis doesn’t happen when you expect it,’ Borges reflected after his win.
‘I know we all wanted Rafa to win. A part of me wishes that too. But something bigger inside me pushed through.
‘It wasn’t about playing my best today, it was about coming up in the big moments. I couldn’t have played better. I’m really emotional.’
Nadal, who had won 17 consecutive clay court finals before Sunday’s final, now turns his attention to his final Olympics in Paris at Roland Garros where he is set to play in the singles and alongside fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles.
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