Rafael Nadal admits one of his shots has got worse over the last two years after making the final in Sweden

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Rafael Nadal faces the chance to win his first ATP title since 2022 today, when he faces Nuno Borges in the Swedish Open.

Initially just starting this tournament with the intention of grabbing some much-needed fitness and practice ahead of the Olympics, both in singles and doubles, it swiftly and rather stunningly turned into a run at two titles.

Having been forced to drop out of the latter though due to fatigue, the 38-year-old is now in the final of the former, with a real chance at winning the whole thing too.

What Rafael Nadal is doing is simply incredible, and deserves acclaim despite his own recent admission.

Rafa Nadal fears that one of his shots has got worse

Speaking at his press conference ahead of his final in Bastad later today, the Spaniard combed over plenty of topics.

First asked about his doubles, Nadal revealed how Casper Ruud reacted to him dropping out, before then turning his focus back onto the upcoming clash with Borges.

However, it was not overwhelmingly positive, fearing that one of his most famous and effective shots has depreciated in recent years.

When quizzed about the forehand, he noted: ‘It’s probably worse than before, that’s the truth. I mean, I need to recover things to become automatic about position on court, about the shot selection every single time and reading the point the proper way. I am doing some moments better, some moments worth.

‘I think I am playing well with my forehand but I need to recover a bit with the speed on the moments to give myself better positions on court, because I feel when I am there I can still play very good forehands and on the practice I feel I am playing better than a few months ago, without a doubt, then I need to show in competitions. I am not able to show it as often as I show in practice.’

Rafael Nadal could win a title in 2024 before Novak Djokovic

It’s actually quite ludicrous to think that Nadal, who has endured a year ravaged by countless injuries that have prevented him from playing two of the three Grand Slams amongst many other tournaments, could still win a title before Novak Djokovic in 2024.

The Serbian started the year as the world number one, and whilst it was expected that he would not stay there due to the sheer number of points he had to defend, his drop-off has been spectacular.

Making his way through a more calculated calendar, missing key events in order to prepare for others, his season has thus been disjointed.

He lost in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, was dumped out in the Round of 32 at Indian Wells, brushed aside by Casper Ruud for the first time ever in Monte Carlo before another shock defeat early on in Rome compounded his misery.

There have been signs of life exhibited throughout Wimbledon, but Nadal, who is playing just his sixth tournament of the year, could now overtake him in titles won in 2024. Few would have predicted that after their respective 2023 campaigns.