"Amazing day" - Rafael Nadal all smiles at Nordea Open day after Spain's Euro 2024 & Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon wins

Following his first-round win at the Nordea Open in Bastad, Rafael Nadal congratulated the Spanish men's football team and Carlos Alcaraz for winning the Euros and the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, respectively. The Spaniard has teamed up with his protege, Casper Ruud, for the event as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

After a disappointing clay season, Nadal skipped the grass swing in order to prepare for the 2024 Olympics, which are slated to be held at Roland Garros. Ruud, on the other hand, reached his third consecutive semifinal in Paris but was defeated by Alexander Zverev. He then played at Wimbledon but was ousted in the second round itself.

The duo teamed up to play the doubles tournament at the Nordea Open. The duo is also entered in the singles competition. They easily ousted second seeds Miguel Angel Rayes-Varela and Guido Andreozzi 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.

During the on-court interview, the 38-year-old Nadal was reminded of Spain's triumph at the Euros, to which he excitedly said how they were amazing from start to finish and made the country proud. The Spaniard also talked about Carlos Alcaraz's triumph at Wimbledon and called it an amazing day for Spanish sports.

‘I think the Spanish team played amazing from the first day of the Euros to the last. The whole country is very proud. A very happy day yesterday too with Carlos winning Wimbledon. It was an amazing day for Spanish sport. Sport generates motivation & passion for people. That’s good for the country without a doubt,” the Spaniard said.

Nadal, the former World No. 1, also said that he hoped to see Norway in important competitions and slightly looked towards Ruud with a cheeky smile. This interaction left the crowd in splits.

“Hope to see Norway in the next important competitions. Casper is a good follower but now they have a young and great team, so I hope to see them soon and Sweden too,” he stated.

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Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud continue Bastad run, Carlos Alcaraz gears up to team up with Spaniard at the Paris Olympics after Wimbledon triumph

Nadal and Ruud continue their run in Bastad (image source: GETTY)

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud have made it to the quarterfinals of the Nordea Open. The Spaniard will now be focusing on his singles campaign, where he is set to kick off his run against Bjorn Borg's son Leo. On the other hand, Ruud is seeded second and has hence received a bye in the opening round.

The Spaniard and the Norwegian are in the same halves of the draw, and so, a potential blockbuster semifinal is on the cards. Some other players playing in the Nordea Open are Andrey Rublev, Tallon Griekspoor, Cameron Norrie, Sumit Nagal, Nuno Borges, and others.

In doubles, the duo awaits the winner of the match between the team of Cameron Norrie and Mariano Navone and the team of Roman Safiullin and Theo Arribage.

Carlos Alcaraz, who is currently basking in the success of his fourth Grand Slam win, will soon begin his preparations for the Paris Olympics, where he will be teaming up with Nadal.