Tennis fans in Sweden were treated to a rare sight on Monday, July 15, as Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud teamed up for a doubles match at the Nordea Open in Bastad. The stadium was packed with enthusiastic supporters who cheered for the Spanish-Norwegian pair as they cruised to a straight-sets victory over second seeds Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela and Guido Andreozzi,
Nadal and Ruud have both locked horns twice in singles, with the Spaniard winning in straight sets on each occasion. This includes the 2022 French Open final, which the 22-time Grand Slam champion won 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.
The pair decided to team up for the Nordea Open, an ATP 250 tournament and defeated the second-seeded duo of Miguel Reyes-Varela and Guido Andreozzi 6-1, 6-4. The fans were ecstatic to see the Spanish-Norwegian team in action.
The tournament’s official social media page shared a clip of the packed stadium and the enthusiastic crowd, with the caption:
"It’s just Monday [with exploding head emoji]."
The pair advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face either Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin or Mariano Navone and Cameron Norrie.
The Nordea Open is Nadal's first tournament since the French Open, where he faced an early exit in the first round against Alexander Zverev.
Casper Ruud discloses Rafael Nadal's text that sealed the Nordea Open doubles collaboration
Casper Ruud shared how he felt when Rafael Nadal asked him to play doubles with him at the Nordea Open in Bastad.
The Norwegian said at a pre-tournament press conference that he got a text from the Spaniard suggesting they join forces in the doubles, and he quickly agreed.
"Rafa sent a text and asked. I don’t usually play doubles, but when Rafa asks, it’s easy to say yes," Casper Ruud said.
Nadal and Ruud are also in contention for the singles title, as the Spaniard will play against tennis legend Bjorn Borg's son Leo. If the 38-year-old wins, he will take on fifth seed Cameron Norrie in the round of 16. The Brit booked his place in the second round in Bastad with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Slovakia's Jozef Kovalik.
Casper Ruud is the second seed at the ATP 250 event and he received a bye into the Round of 16. Here, the Norwegian will take on either Federico Coria or Thiago Monteiro.
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