Beating Rafael Nadal in a clay-court remaining is a mission unimaginable. Or nearly, as a result of solely 5 tennis gamers have been capable of obtain this milestone in opposition to the best tennis participant in historical past on clay-courts. I consider it’s simpler to win the nationwide lottery than to attain this milestone.
Nuno Borges entered this very choose membership of three-year-olds able to this feat yesterday. Nadal, who has received 14 titles at Roland Garros in his profession, he has been defeated by solely 5 gamers in a clay-court event remaining, contemplating all occasion classes, from ATP 250 to Majors.
Roger Federer has achieved this feat twice, Novak Djokovic has accomplished it 4 instances, and Andy Murray and Horacio Zeballos have accomplished it as soon as, earlier than Portuguese Nuno Borges’ success yesterday. Borges has entered this very unique membership by beating Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 yesterday within the remaining of the ATP 250 event in Bastad. After all, it is a Nadal who’s mild years away from his greatest degree, however the statistic stays.
Rafael Nadal has solely misplaced in opposition to 5 opponents in remaining on clay, together with yesterday in opposition to Nuno Borges in Bastad
Djokovic ❌❌❌❌
Federer ❌❌
Zeballos ❌
Murray ❌
BORGES ❌ 🆕(by way of @fermurciego) pic.twitter.com/jgg7wVWuOB
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 22, 2024
Murray defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 within the 2015 remaining of the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid. Zeballos beat Nadal within the 2013 remaining of the event in Vina del Mar with a rating of 6-7 7-6 6-4. Roger Federer has overwhelmed Nadal twice within the remaining of a clay-court event: it occurred within the remaining of the ATP Masters 1000 Hamburg 2007, with Federer profitable 2-6 6-2 6-0. And once more on the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid 2009, with Federer profitable 6-4 6-4. The one who has overwhelmed Rafael Nadal on clay within the remaining probably the most instances is Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis participant has accomplished it 4 instances: it occurred on the ATP Masters 1000 Rome 2014 with a victory 4-6 6-3 6-3, on the ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo 2013, for 6-2 7-6. And at last in 2011, on the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid (7-5 6-4) and on the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, with a rating of 6-4 6-4.
Nadal was very self-critical within the press convention and admitted within the post-match interview that he was under no circumstances happy with the extent expressed within the remaining misplaced on the ATP 250 event in Bastad in opposition to Borges. The Spanish champion defined that his tennis works a lot better throughout coaching and that he should perceive why he can not do the identical in matches.
“I performed badly. He performed higher than me. I am sorry I performed so badly. I in all probability had no vitality left, that is the reality, however I ought to have performed a lot, a lot better than that. It is tough to play worse than that. You even have to go with Nuno. He took benefit of his alternatives and deserved this success. The extent I expressed immediately could be very removed from what I wish to specific. It was a protracted week with lengthy matches and, even when my physique shouldn’t be broken, I’m not bodily and mentally used to taking part in 4 days in a row. That is without doubt one of the causes for my efficiency immediately. Then there are different causes which are extra technical and need to do with tennis. I should analyze the match. I’ve a number of expertise and I’ve to just accept every part that can come and proceed working to enhance.
I got here right here feeling excellent concerning the degree I expressed in coaching, however I used to be not capable of present it within the matches. I can’t be happy with my tennis. Clearly I should play a lot better. I’ve to seek out out why I used to be not capable of compete on the identical degree as I confirmed in coaching. Olympics? I need to play nicely. The Olympic Video games are crucial occasion on the earth of sport and it’s particular to signify Spain, to really feel a part of an ideal workforce. I need to benefit from the competitors, I’m motivated and I hope to seek out the correct vitality to compete at the very best degree,” he analyzed.
Within the on-court interview simply after the match, Rafae had already expressed his emotions concerning the disappointing defeat.
“I need to congratulate Nuno. You performed extremely this week, you had been the very best of all and also you deserved to win this trophy. I clearly want you all the very best for the remainder of the season. It was nice to be right here all this time in an impressive place.
I performed some very lengthy matches and immediately I did not have my greatest day. I attempted to do my greatest, nevertheless it was robust. I need to thank all of the group, which was impeccable. I got here again 19 years later however I discovered the identical unbelievable and welcoming ambiance. I thank my workforce and my household. I can solely say thanks. It hasn’t been simple within the final two years, however you could have at all times been with me day by day. I’ll by no means cease thanking you. It is a privilege to have performed in entrance of all of you, you could have given me an ideal push. I do not know if I will come again right here subsequent 12 months, however I say thanks,” he stated.
Borges, as a substitute, expressed all his emotion for profitable the title in opposition to the legendary Spaniard.
“I used to be already nervous, after Rafa’s speech much more! I did not assume I may play a remaining in opposition to Nadal in such a full stadium. I agree with Rafa: it is a event that has nice historical past and is managed very nicely by the organizers. I do know that this was not your greatest match, Rafa. Nonetheless, everybody likes to see you continue to on the court docket. You’re a true inspiration for every part you could have accomplished. I thank my workforce, not all of them are right here. It’s also your work that allowed me to attain this outcome. Now I need to benefit from the second. It’s tough to speak with this trophy in my fingers. I need to proceed dreaming,” he defined.