Rafael Nadal has fought his way to the final in Båstad's singles tournament.
After turning around and winning in both the quarterfinal and semifinal, the Spanish tennis legend has withdrawn from the doubles.
I'm sorry about that, he says.
After having to fight hard in Friday's nearly four-hour-long quarterfinal against Mariano Navone, Rafael Nadal was also struggling against the Croatian qualifier, 130th-ranked Duje Ajdukovic, in Saturday's semifinal on Båstad's center court.
But just like against the Argentine, Nadal managed to turn around and win 2–1 in sets, with set scores 4–6, 6–3, 6–4.
After the victory, Nadal announced that he is withdrawing from the doubles tournament, where he played together with Norwegian world number nine Casper Ruud. The pair was supposed to meet Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in the semifinal later on Saturday. The Brazilian pair thus advanced to the final on a walkover.
"I hope everyone understands"
I can't play doubles. I'm sorry about that because it was a great opportunity to reach a new final in doubles after a long time, says Rafael Nadal at a press conference.
But it's not possible for me. Four hours yesterday, over two hours, almost two hours and 20 minutes today. It was a great achievement to be able to fight my way through the match today. I can't risk tomorrow's final. I don't want to risk my body in the semifinal. I hope everyone understands that: That I've done my best in singles and doubles.
Can take 93rd title
The 261st-ranked Spaniard, who has taken 92 ATP titles, including 22 in Grand Slam tournaments, is after several injury-plagued years back in his first final since the French Open in 2022, when he defeated Ruud in the final.
Last time Nadal played in Båstad, in 2005, he won the clay court tournament.
19 years later, I can undoubtedly say that I'm really proud of all the things that have happened in my life, in my career. Then, I wouldn't have believed that I could be here as a 38-year-old. I'm just happy for everything. But tomorrow is the final, and I want to be ready for it, he says.
In the final, Nuno Borges awaits. The 51st-ranked Portuguese player defeated 121st-ranked Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets with 6–3, 6–4 in his semifinal.
Corrected: In an earlier version of this text, it was incorrectly stated which final was Nadal's latest. The correct answer is the French Open in 2022.
