Rafael Nadal to partner Casper Ruud in doubles at Nordea Open

Casper Ruud recently lost to Italian Fabio Fognini in the second round of Wimbledon.

Rafael Nadal to partner Casper Ruud in doubles at Nordea Open

Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud will partner for the doubles of the Nordea Open in Bastad. The Spaniard is making a return to the ATP 250 tournament in Bastad, where he last competed almost two decades ago. While, Ruud, a 2021 champion, is hoping to gain some experience from the “King of Clay”.

A few weeks ago, Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon and announced his decision to play at the Nordea Open as he aimed to remain clay-ready ahead of the Paris Olympics. The Nordea Open runs from 15-21 July, while the Paris Olympics begins on July 27. Nadal has already confirmed his partnership with Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s doubles of the Olympics.

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Nadal will be joining forces with Ruud for the first time in his career at Bastad. The Spaniard played against the 25-year-old Norwegian at the 2022 French Open, where he beat Ruud to claim his 14th Roland Garros title. Later that year, Nadal beat Ruud again in the round-robin of the Nitto ATP Finals.

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Ruud has always idolized Nadal while training as a junior at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Manacor. He still visits the academy to train, especially ahead of the clay season. Also, Ruud is competing in Wimbledon doubles partnering with American William Blumberg.

On the other hand, Nadal has been training at his Academy in Mallorca ahead of the Nordea Open. The Spaniard will be hoping to get to the final stages of the tournament after a disappointing clay season which saw him lose in the opening round of the French Open against Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

Casper Ruud fails to reach the third round of Wimbledon after losing to 37-year-old Fabio Fognini

Three-time French Open runners-up, Casper Ruud suffered an upset in the second round of Wimbledon. The Norwegian lost to 37-year-old Italian Fabio Fognini 4-6, 5-7, 7-6, 3-6, as he failed to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud (via Imago)

Ruud had laid low after losing to Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the French Open. The 25-year-old explained after the loss that a stomach aliment hampered him from playing his best against Zverev. After today’s loss, he was completely disappointed with his performance.

Honestly, I'm not sitting here super disappointed. Of course, I'm disappointed that I lost, but I guess I kind of know my abilities on this surface and trying to be realistic.
Casper Ruud said via Reuters

Ruud beat Australian Alex Bolt 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 to claim his first-round victory. But his loss today means he is yet to reach the third round of Wimbledon in his career.

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