LONDON: Until this year, Portugal’s Nuno Borges didn’t have any fond memories of playing in the main draw at Wimbledon.
Borges, currently ranked 37th in the world, suffered three consecutive first round defeats at the All England Club between 2022 and 2024. Three years ago, he gained entry via a lucky loser spot but was beaten by MacKenzie McDonald. Then, in his next two appearances, he fell in four sets to Francisco Cerundolo and Yoshihito Nishioka.
His breakthrough at the grass-court major occurred on Monday with a revenge victory over the player who beat him at the tournament in 2023, Cerundolo. He followed up on the victory by beating Britain’s Billy Harris in the second round to make it through to the last 32. Borges is only the third Portuguese player in history to reach this stage at Wimbledon in the Open Era after Michelle Larcher de Brito and Joao Sousa.
Overall, Borges has now reached the third round or better at four consecutive Grand Slam tournaments for the first time in his career at the age of 28.
Borges told Ubitennis about his recent consistency at the majors: “I’d like to think that playing best of five sets is different. It gives me a little more time to adjust to the opponent and their patterns. Matches can go through many ups and downs throughout. I’ve just started to enjoy that a little more than best of three (matches).”
It is an interesting perspective for Borges, who claimed his maiden ATP title last year at the Bastad Open, where he beat Rafael Nadal. He is the last player to play the Spaniard in a Tour final before he retired.
“I’ve had a lot of slow starts, I guess best of five, it doesn’t weigh on me that much,” he said. He also elaborated further about why playing best-of-five matches helps his game: “To start a break down in the first set still feels like I have a lot of time. I’ve also had some luck in the draws. Obviously, if I play one of the top guys, my chances are not as great. But even still, I was able to beat a few seeded players. I think it’s a great accomplishment. It shows how much work I’ve put in throughout these years and how consistent I’ve been.”
The college years
Borges’ route into the Pro Tour came after a successful college career. He represented Mississippi State University for four years between 2016 and 2019, reaching the NCAA final in his last year before losing to Paul Jubb. He was also named ITA National and Senior Player of the Year (2019).
Those college years undoubtedly shaped Borges’ games for the future. But does he ever wonder if he would be playing at the level he currently is if he didn’t go down this route?
“I think it’s impossible to know. I wouldn’t think so,” he explained. “In the end, we are also a part of our journey with every step of the way that has made me who I am today. So I don’t think it would have been the same. It was an important step for me. I don’t know if there was another way for me to reach even higher, but I’m happy with the way I am now and how far I’ve come.”
For Borges, it is all about living in the moment and continuing to work hard in the hope that a breakthrough will occur. This could well be at Wimbledon this year, where the men’s draw has been thrown into chaos following a large number of seeded players going out. In his section, Borges will next play Karen Khachanov. A victory will guarantee him a showdown against a player ranked lower than him in the fourth round.
“I feel like this tournament could change everything for me,” Borges replied when asked how high he thinks he can go in the rankings. “I think one match at a time and I’ll worry about that in the end. It’s much better if you think more about the long term than focus on this match. Try to develop my tennis overall, and not worry about the numbers so much. Just worry about the next match. That’s how I’ve been thinking, and that’s how I’m going to keep thinking because I think it helps me, maybe reach a new career high. I’ll keep reaching. I think I can break it. But it’s hard to know how far I can go. One match can change everything.”
Borges reached the last 16 at the Australian Open and the US Open in 2024, losing to Daniil Medvedev on both occasions. His Wimbledon clash with Khachanov is scheduled to take place on Friday.
