Bjorn Borg’s son is set to face Rafael Nadal in Sweden.
Leo Borg – son of Bjorn – is set to face idol Rafael Nadal in his native Sweden (Image: Getty)
Rafael Nadal will play Bjorn Borg’s son in the first round of the Nordea Open in Sweden. The 22-time Grand Slam winner is playing the clay court event to prepare for the Paris Olympics.
And the Spaniard, 38, has been drawn to play with 21-year-old Leo Borg in the first round after practising together on Friday.
“It was crazy because we were looking when they did the draw and my name just popped up against Rafa,” Borg said. “I’m feeling very excited and it’s going to be a great match.”
Bjorn Borg, now 68, won 11 Grand Slams between 1974 and 1981. However, it was Nadal who Borg Jr looked up to during his formative years in tennis, rather than his famous father.
Speaking to Marca in 2023, Borg said that he met Nadal through his father’s captaincy of Team Europe at the Laver Cup. He has since practised alongside his idol and they prepared for the Nordea Open together.
He said: “I met Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup because my father is the captain of the European team. He was always my idol since I was little.”
Despite having a hugely successful tennis-playing father, Borg insists that he entered tennis of his own accord. He is ranked 467 in the ATP rankings, with a career-high of 334 achieved in September 2023.
He added: “The truth is that I have always wanted to play tennis on my own initiative. I know that he is proud of me, of what I am doing, and I hope I have a good future.”
Nadal plans to play at the Olympics in Paris after skipping Wimbledon this summer. The King of Clay suffered a first-round defeat at the French Open in May but will return to Roland Garros, with the venue set to host the tournament at this summer’s Games.
The 38-year-old does not know whether he will return to the French Open next year.
“It is difficult for me to talk, I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll be here in front of all of you. Honestly, I am not 100 per cent sure,” Nadal said after his defeat by Zverev.
“If it is the last time, then you, the crowd, have been amazing. The feelings I have are difficult to describe in words. For me, it is so special to feel the love in the place I love the most.”
Leo Borg, son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg, is gearing up to face his idol Rafael Nadal on the clay courts of Sweden. The 21-year-old rising star expressed his excitement about the upcoming match, highlighting the surreal experience of seeing his name drawn against Nadal’s. The match is expected to be a thrilling encounter for tennis fans around the world.
Despite coming from a family with a rich tennis legacy, Leo Borg has always been determined to carve out his own path in the sport. Currently ranked 467 in the ATP rankings, Borg has shown steady progress and is poised for a promising future in tennis. His father, Bjorn Borg, has been supportive of his son’s journey and takes pride in his accomplishments.
On the other hand, Rafael Nadal is focused on his preparations for the Paris Olympics after skipping Wimbledon this year. The Spanish champion has had a phenomenal career, winning 22 Grand Slam titles and earning the title of “King of Clay.” Nadal’s emotional reflections after his recent defeat at the French Open have left fans speculating about his future in the sport.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times