Nadal lost his first tour final in two years.

Rafael Nadal suffered his first final defeat in two years on Sunday, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Portugal’s Nuno Borges at the clay-court Bastad Open. Despite showing promising form throughout the week leading up to the final, Nadal was unable to secure his 64th title on clay and his first since Roland Garros 2022. Borges, the seventh seed, dominated the match with strong play, particularly capitalizing on Nadal’s struggles with his serve and groundstrokes.

After the match, Nadal graciously congratulated Borges, acknowledging his opponent’s excellent performance throughout the tournament. Nadal admitted it wasn’t his best day on the court but commended Borges for his well-deserved victory. Borges took control early in the match, breaking Nadal’s serve and maintaining his lead through strategic play and key shots, ultimately securing his first career title with an ace.

Reflecting on his achievement, Borges expressed his overwhelming emotions in a post-match interview, describing his long-held aspiration for such a moment and his disbelief at its realization.