"I remember playing PlayStation and partying" - Rafael Nadal reflects on competing in Bastad with friends as a teenager upon his return after 19 years

As Rafael Nadal commences his campaign at the 2024 Nordea Open, he has reflected on how his experience competing in Bastad has changed since his teenage years. The Spaniard shed light on his shift in perspective upon making a return to the event 19 years later, as a 38-year-old.

After skipping the grasscourt season, Nadal made his much-awaited return to the tour at the ATP 250 event on clay. As the Spaniard gears up to partner Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics, he has teamed up with Casper Ruud for doubles in Bastad. The duo claimed a commanding 6-1, 6-4 win over second seeds Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela and Guido Andreozzi in their opening match on Monday (July 15).

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is also set to compete in singles at the tournament, making his first appearance since winning the title as a 19-year-old in 2005. Speaking to the media ahead of his opening singles match, Rafael Nadal reflected on his changed experience in Bastad on his return after nearly two decades.

The Spaniard reminisced about competing in the event as a teenager with his friends like Juan Monaco, Carlos Moya and Mariano Zabaleta, disclosing that they would enjoy playing PlayStation, dining out and partying together in their youth.

"When you’re 19, 18 or 17, when I first came here, I remember coming to play with friends, with Juan Monaco, Carlos Moya, Zabaleta, playing Playstation, going to dinner and partying a bit afterwards. Different things," he said.

However, Nadal admitted that "life changes" as a 38-year-old, expressing a newfound interest in exploring the city and its culture, and acknowledging that it is a "different world" compared to his experience as a teenager.

"When you’re 38, life changes a bit and you pay more attention to how nice the place is. I had even forgotten how nice the place is. When you’re a bit older, you’re more interested in things," he said.

"You’re more interested in going out a bit, walking around the area by the sea, getting to know the town a bit more. The last time I was here I was only 19, so it’s a different world," he added.

"I have great memories from this place" - Rafael Nadal on 'enjoying' his time competing in Bastad

Rafael Nadal (Source: Getty)

In his on-court interview after his doubles win with Casper Ruud, Rafael Nadal reflected on fond memories from his previous campaigns and relished his return to the event.

The Spaniard also expressed his hope that he and Ruud can maintain their winning form as they take on Cameron Norrie and Mariano Navone or Roman Safiullin and Theo Arribage in the second round.

"I have great memories from this place from 2003, 2004 and 2005, so I am enjoying this week and hopefully can keep going," he said.

Meanwhile, the 22-time Grand Slam champion will kick off his singles campaign against 21-year-old Leo Borg, the son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg. If the Spaniard triumphs over Borg, he will set up a blockbuster second-round clash against fifth seed Norrie.