“He will probably never reach his best level again,” Brad Gilbert reveals about Rafael Nadal’s comeback at Nordea Open in Bastad

Nadal has returned to action at the Nordea Open, where he is playing in both the singles and doubles.

“He will probably never reach his best level again,” Brad Gilbert reveals about Rafael Nadal’s comeback at Nordea Open in Bastad

Rafael Nadal and Brad Gilbert (via Imago)

Rafael Nadal has been struggling with fitness this season. He has played in only six tournaments and registered just eight wins in all. While he is still working hard, renowned coach Brad Gilbert believes he will never reach his best level again.

Nadal made his comeback early this year after being sidelined for over eleven months. His first competition was the Brisbane International, where he managed to reach the quarterfinals before taking another break. He returned to action during the clay season and his best result was a Round of 16 finish at the Madrid Open.

At the Italian Open, he won just one match before exiting the tournament. He then lost to Alexander Zverev at the French Open in the first round. He later withdrew from the Wimbledon Championship and decided to take part in the Nordea Open, insisting that he was focused on being clay-ready for the Paris Olympics.

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Gilbert, who now works with Coco Gauff, believes that Nadal will never reach his best again despite him trying his best to adapt.

He will probably never reach his best level again, but I think above all else, every athlete wants to be able to retire in his own way. He wants to be and decide that maybe it’s time to stop. He’s had so many injuries in the last two years that he probably hasn’t had a period where he really felt healthy and that’s what he wants to know more than anything, before he stops, what his game is like when he’s completely healthy.

Brad Gilbert said via Claytennis

Nadal won his opening singles match at the Nordea Open, beating Leo Borg in straight sets. The Spaniard is also competing at the doubles, partnering Casper Ruud.

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Casper Ruud happy to win alongside Rafael Nadal at Nordea Open

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud gave the Bastad crowd something to cheer for after winning their dramatic quarterfinal men’s doubles match. The duo showed teamwork to save a match point en route to their 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 victory over Theo Arribage and Roman Safiulin at the Nordea Open.

Ruud was delighted with the win after suffering a shock defeat in his opening singles match to Thiago Monteiro. After the victory, the Norwegian admitted it was great to win alongside the 22-time Grand Slam winner.

Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal
Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

It was not the best beginning of the day but a very nice way to finish the day for me. Winning alongside Rafa was a special doubles today. We saved a match point so a bit lucky, and we look forward to the next match.

Casper Ruud said via ATP

The duo will play third-seeded Brazilians Orland Luz and Rafael Matos in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Nadal will take on fifth seed Cameron Norrie in the second round of the singles.

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