Rafael Nadal reassures fans after concerns raised at Bastad – ‘I am alive’

Rafael Nadal reassured his fans that he’s “alive” ahead of his Bastad final showdown with Nuno Borges. The Spainard has been in action in Sweden this week after returning to the court for his first tournament since the French Open.
Nadal has struggled with injuries over the last couple of years and opted to miss Wimbledon earlier this month to get his body ready for the Paris Olympics.

He decided to enter the Nordea Open ATP 250 singles tournament, however, and has also teamed up with Casper Ruud in the doubles.Nadal has produced a series of tenacious displays in Scandinavia and overcame Mariano Navone in the quarter-finals of the singles on Friday. And following his latest triumph, Nadal explained: “A lot of changing dynamics in every single set. For moments he was in control and for moments I was in control. But in the end, no one was in control.

“I was able to hold physically and that’s so important for me – let’s see how I am tomorrow. Today, I am alive and I am in the semi-finals. I know I’m experiencing too many disconnects, but I consider it normal coming from where I come from. “It is not easy for me to accept because throughout my career, I have been able to play very focused. However, little by little, I am regaining that. Playing matches and winning these types of duels will help me change that.”

Nadal struggled in the early stages of his semi-final as Ajdukovic clinched the first set 6-4. But the 22-time Grand Slam champion battled back to win the second set 6-3. And Nadal went on to book his place in Sunday’s final after taking the decider 6-4. Nadal and Ruud were scheduled to return to the court on Saturday afternoon for a doubles encounter against Brazilian duo Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos. But Nadal withdrew from the match to rest ahead of his singles final.

On Friday, the 38-year-old also spoke out about the US Open after his name was included on the entry list. “I needed to book to have the chance to decide after that, that’s as simple as that,” Nadal said as he discussed the final Grand Slam of the year. “Nothing changed for me. I’m going to decide what’s going on after Olympics. By the way, I will be playing in the Laver Cup but I am, to be clear, and to not create false expectations, I am not sure at all to be in New York or not.

“No decision today and the decision will not happen before the end of Olympics.”