Rafael Nadal Boosts Morale Before Olympic Tournament by Defeating Leo Borg

BASTAD, Sweden (AP) — Rafael Nadal made his return to singles play on clay by defeating Leo Borg, the 21-year-old son of Swedish legendary tennis player Bjorn Borg, with sets of 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Nordea Open. This match was played in Bastad on Tuesday.

“It was a great honor for me to play against the son of one of the greatest legends in the history of sports,” Nadal said about his young opponent. “I think he played quite well, he can achieve great success in the future, so I wish him the best.”

Nadal won the singles title in southern Sweden in 2005 as a 19-year-old and is back for the first time since as he prepares for the Olympic tournament on clay at Roland Garros in Paris this week.

Nadal played his first singles match since losing to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open. On Monday, he teamed up with Casper Ruud to win the first round doubles match.

Nadal, 38, skipped Wimbledon because he did not want to change the surface from grass to clay and risk injury. He has been dealing with hip and abdominal injuries for the last year and a half.

Nadal will face Britain’s No. 2 player Cameron Norrie in his next match.