Casper Ruud opens up on doubles partnership with Rafael Nadal at 2024 Bastad Open - "When Rafa asks, it's easy to say yes"

The high-powered duo of Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud secured their opening round win at the ongoing Bastad Open, with Ruud recently revealing the origin of their formidable partnership.

Nadal and Ruud faced the second-seeded team of Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela and Guido Andreozzi in the first round of the Bastad Open, securing an upset 6-1 6-4 victory. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has struggled with injuries for most of 2023 and 2024, but has confirmed he will be competing at the upcoming Olympic Games. Hosted in Paris, this year's edition will be held on the prestigious clay courts of Roland Garros.

Although Nadal opted to skip Wimbledon in order to prepare for what is likely his last Olympics, Ruud competed at the grass court Grand Slam. The Norwegian suffered an early second-round exit to Italian Fabio Fognini.

Nonetheless, during an interview at the Bastad Open, Ruud revealed how he and Nadal agreed to compete as a doubles team.

"Rafa sent a text and asked," said Ruud. "I don’t usually play doubles, but when Rafa asks, it’s easy to say yes."

The 2021 champion is competing in both the singles and doubles event, as is Nadal, who kicks off his campaign against Swedish youngster Leo Borg, son of 11-time Grand Slam champion, Bjorn Borg.