Leo Borg left shocked after 'crazy' draw in facing iconic Rafael Nadal at Bastad Open

Rafael Nadal will face Leo Börg, son of the legendary former world No. 1 Bjorn Börg, in the first round of the Nordea Open in Sweden. The 21-year-old practiced with Nadal last Friday before the draw, and they will face off next Tuesday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will play his first tournament since his first-round exit at the French Open, as he prepares for the Olympic Games. Additionally, he will team up with Casper Ruud in the doubles draw.

“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.”

Leo Borg (No. 461) mentioned that he admired Nadal during his formative years. In 2023, he stated that he met Nadal through his father’s captaincy of Team Europe in the Laver Cup and that they have trained together several times: “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.”

“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,” he said about his father, 11-time Grand Slam champion Bjorn Borg.

Nadal only plans to play at the Bastad Open before travelling to Paris for the Olympic Games. The former world No. 1 will have this one test before returning to Roland Garros to fight for a medal. The Spaniard will play in the singles draw and doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz.