Guillaume Marion, Media365: Published on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 4:35 p.m.
After winning Sunday's final in Bastad against Rafael Nadal, Nuno Borges made a startling admission on court. It is clear that the Portuguese lived a dream of facing the best player in history on clay courts.
On July 21, 2024, Nuno Borges should not soon forget it. Indeed, on the clay court of Båstad (Sweden), the 27-year-old Portuguese won the first title of his career, having never reached the final in any tournament before. Better yet, during the ATP 250 tournament, the player who is now No. 42 in the ATP Rankings on Monday defeated Rafael Nadal in two sets (6-3, 6-2) to win the title. It is clear that challenging the best player in history on the ocher courts and defeating him remains a unique memory for Borges, who did not fail to properly salute the player who holds 14 titles at Roland Garros. “I don't know what to say. (…) It's crazy, in tennis, it doesn't always happen when you expect it,” declared the Portuguese at the beginning, very nervous, after signing the greatest achievement of his career.
Borges: “Part of me wanted Rafa to win”
“I know we all wanted Rafa to win, and part of me did too, but something bigger inside me really pushed me to do it. This is the first time I've come here. I never thought I would one day play in a full court against Rafa on clay. “A dream come true. Right now, I'm living in the clouds. I'm somewhere there,” Borges explained later. “I would like to congratulate Rafa. I told him it's not his best game. Everyone loves to see you compete… You are a great inspiration to everyone, especially to the players who admire everything you have done.” After his defeat during the preparatory tournament ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nadal still has a lot of work to do before facing what could be the last big challenge in his tremendous career.
