Nadal to face Borg in Bastad

English Woman's Journal - Nadal to face Borg in Bastad

Nadal to face Borg in Bastad / Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND - AFP/File

Sadly, although obviously given the age difference, fans at the ATP event in Bastad next week will not be watching the two kings of Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg with 20 French Open titles between them.

Instead Nadal will be up against Leo Borg, the 21-year-old son of the long-retired former world number one, now 68.

"It was crazy because we were looking when they did the draw and my name just popped up against Rafa," said Borg, currently ranked 467 in the world.

"I’m feeling very excited and it’s going to be a great match."

According to his ATP biography, Borg has never watched a single point of his father's storied career which included six French Open titles and five successive Wimbledons.

Instead he credits Nadal as one of the reasons he turned to tennis as a child, making Friday's practice session together all the more special.

"It was a very good practice and of course he’s been my idol since I was very young, so it’s going to be a very special moment in my career," Borg said.

"But I’m looking forward to that and I’m feeling really, really excited.”

Borg's only ATP Tour match win last year was in Bastad against Elias Ymer.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal on the other hand, has competed in Bastad on three previous occasions, most recently in 2005, when he lifted the trophy.

The 38-year-old, who was knocked out of the first round at Roland Garros before choosing to skip Wimbledon, will also be taking part in the doubles in tandem with Casper Ruud in preparation for the Olympics when he will team up with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.

Defending champion and top seed Andrey Rublev begins his defence against Thiago Agustin Tirante or a qualifier.

P.Smid--EWJ

Mets President David Stearns Expresses Confidence in Marcus Semien's Motivation

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has identified Marcus Semien’s self-motivation as the primary factor in his potential recovery from an underwhelming debut season. Speaking at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns affirmed that the team remains confident in Semien’s ability to improve, even as they evaluate other infield options for next year.

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

English Woman's Journal - Nadal to face Borg in Bastad