Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud have learned their opening opponents in Bastad as the star duo will be taking on No. 2 seeds Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela in their first doubles match at the Swedish ATP 250 tournament.
After it was confirmed last month that Nadal would skip the entire grass season and resume action in Bastad, it was also revealed earlier this month that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would also play in the doubles event. And for his partner, Nadal selected world No. 8 Ruud, who grew up idolizing him.
While Nadal has very rarely played doubles throughout his career, entering the Bastad doubles event wasn’t that surprising when knowing that the Spaniard also plans to play doubles at the Paris Olympics in two weeks. And now, everything is set for Nadal and Ruud to debut as a pair in Bastad.
Who are Nadal and Ruud’s opening opponents in Bastad?
When it comes to their opening opponents, Andreozzi and Reyes-Varela have played together the entire season – mostly on the Challenger level – and they have won two Challenger titles this season. Also, they have made two ATP semifinals this year – in Delray Beach and Marrakech.
While Andreozzi and Reyes-Varela are the second seeds and have had certain success this year, they are still not top-50 doubles players and Nadal and Ruud will probably like their chances there.
Meanwhile, Nadal would have preferred to play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz – his Olympic partner – in Bastad but it was impossible because the 21-year-old had his Wimbledon title to defend.
“Well, in principle my calendar, now, is Queen’s, Wimbledon, and the Olympic Games. I don’t think we have time to prepare for the doubles with Nadal,” Alcaraz said after winning the French Open.
“Rafa knows how to pick up the pace in the doubles. He knows what it is to play and win the gold in both singles and doubles, we will try to adapt in the best way possible ahead of the games.”
Although Ruud won’t be Nadal’s doubles partner at the Olympics, Bastad could still help the Spaniard find some doubles rhythm and form going into Paris.
