Rafael Nadal proved he's still got the fire 🔥, battling past Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Nordea Open in Sweden to reach his first final since his iconic 2022 French Open win. The comeback king 👑 dropped the first set but roared back, showing flashes of the relentless grit that's made him a tennis legend.
🚨 Plot twist: Nadal admitted Ajdukovic's backhand was 'one of the best' he's ever faced! 💪 After grinding through a 4-hour quarterfinal the day before, the 38-year-old Spaniard called the win 'great news' for his confidence as he eyes Olympic glory on clay later this summer.
Next up? Portugal's Nuno Borges, who’s chasing his first ATP title. But all eyes are on Nadal’s Roland Garros prep 🏟️ – the Paris Olympics’ tennis venue. Smart move: Skipping Wimbledon to avoid grass-clay switcheroos 🩹 (those hip and abdominal injuries still need TLC).
Fun fact: This is Nadal’s first time back at the Nordea Open since he won it as a teen in 2005. Talk about full-circle energy! ⏳ Can he channel that 19-year-old magic Sunday? Stay tuned. 🎥
