Rafael Nadal returned to playing on clay courts in Bastad after nearly two decades, partnering with Casper Ruud to win their first-round doubles match at the Nordea Open on Monday.
Nadal, who last won the singles title in southern Sweden at age 19 in 2005, returned to prepare for the Olympic tournament on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.
He and Ruud defeated second-seeded Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela 6-1, 6-4 in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
This marked Nadal’s first tour match since May, following his early exit at the French Open.
Skipping Wimbledon to avoid the risks of switching surfaces from clay to grass and back, Nadal has been managing hip and abdominal injuries for the past year and a half.
Next, Nadal is scheduled to face Leo Borg, the son of Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg, in the opening round of the Bastad singles tournament on Tuesday.
