Days after Coco Gauff’s coach made a depressing remark, Rafael Nadal was beaten while attempting to earn £74,000.

Days after being informed that he will never return to his dazzling best, Rafael Nadal was destroyed in a horrific way as he pursued a massive payout. The legendary Spanish tennis player advanced to the Swedish Open final in Bastad, where he lost 6-3, 6-2 against Nuno Borges in his first final since the 2022 French Open.

Nadal overcame a set behind to defeat Duje Ajdukovic and earn a berth in the Sunday championship match. In an attempt to snap his losing streak on Swedish soil, he reached a ceiling against Portuguese No. 1 Borges and lost in straight sets.

Despite his £43,000 consolation prize, the 38-year-old missed out on the €88,000 (£74,000) first-place award that was up for grabs in Bastad. That Nevertheless, he will have been especially devastated to lose following depressing remarks made by Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff’s coach, who recently added salt to the wound by suggesting that Rafael Nadal’s best days are behind him.