Nuno Borges calls Olympics ‘big challenge’, says he’s ready

Tennis player Nuno Borges today viewed competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics as a “big challenge”, days after he won the first ATP tournament of his career with a victory over the historic Rafael Nadal, saying he was “ready”.

“I know it will be a big challenge. Of course, catching one of the ‘big names’ is an even bigger challenge, but maybe I could leave that for later. I would like to be able to carry our flag as far as possible. And if the opponent gives me more chances, even better. But in any case, I am focused on myself and doing well,” he told reporters at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, minutes before leaving for Paris to represent Portugal in the men’s singles and doubles tournaments at the Olympic Games.

Between the two competitions, Maia native Nuno Borges admitted that pairs competitions are always more open and prone to possible surprises that could benefit the Portuguese performances.

“Historically, the doubles format is more volatile. I think anything can happen, and with the super tiebreak format in the third set, it’s, as we say, a lottery. Now, of course, I admit that I’m not one of the favorites to win a medal, and even with this title, I think I’m still a long way off, but I’m always ready to win, and whenever the opportunity arises, we’ll be ready,” he assured.

The tennis player expressed satisfaction at being able to play alongside compatriot Francisco Cabral, a long-time friend, in a competition that receives media coverage and highlights the importance of the Olympic Games.

“For us, qualifying was done at the last minute, so to speak. It was probably only three or four weeks before we found out about it. It’s a dream come true to be able to share the field with Francisco, we’ve known each other for a long time and many already know our history, we started together on the circuit,” he said.

Nuno Borges was happy with the good moment he was experiencing and which allowed him to win the Bastad tournament, where he won the final 6-3 and 6-2, after one hour and 27 minutes, defeating one of the most titled players in the history of tennis, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, 38, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, several times leading the world rankings and still considered the “king of clay”.

The Portuguese tennis player now has his sights set on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, an event that he has highlighted as a priority and which even forced him to withdraw from the ATP tournament in Kitzbühel, Austria, which will take place this very week.

“I am currently doing clay court sports and that was the idea to prepare for the last clay court tournaments to come to the Games in the best possible way. It is really a priority for me and I am ready to give everything. I am in good shape but I also know that I depend on who my next opponent will be,” he admitted, just a few days before participating in the international event.

Nuno Borges, 25, expressed pride and satisfaction in representing Portugal, unlike what usually happens in his sporting season when he plays only for himself in an individual context.

“We represent the national team, not ourselves as individuals. We often play for ourselves throughout the year, and there is a special ‘flavor’ here, it is playing for the team, representing the national team, and I think that can have more significance for our performances than the tournament itself, which actually involves the best players in the world,” he said.

The Portuguese tennis player has the best result of his career in the world rankings, rising to 42nd place, becoming only the second Portuguese tennis player to win a competition on the main international circuit after João Sousa, who won four tournaments (Kuala Lumpur in 2013, Valencia in 2015, Estoril in 2018 and Pune in 2022).