The Spanish Tennis player Rafael Nadal confirms to play in the three events in the Tennis competition in the 2016 Summer Olympics that will happen at Rio de Janeiro this August.
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The 14-time Grand Slam title victor was the gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but missed the 2012 London Games because of a knee injury.
“I was talking with the whole team and the team decided that I am going to play so I’m going to try to practice for the next couple of days”, he said on Tuesday.
“It is so inspiring, the work ethic and the way they [Olympians] dedicate their lives pretty much to their sport, because they don’t make as much money as we do”.
“It’s not an ideal situation – there are always risks”.
The world No 5 spent a lengthy period after his practice session on centre court discussing his plans with the team doctor and team captain Conchita Martinez.
Nadal will partner with Marc Lopez in the doubles and if he feels good enough will play in the mixed with fellow French Open victor Garbine Muguruza.
Nadal has not played since he was forced to quit the French Open before the third round after damaging tendons in his left wrist.
Nadal, who has not played since the first week of Roland Garros in late May, said: “The Olympic Games is the most important sports event”.
After arriving in Rio this weekend, Nadal admitted he won’t be at his best level competing for a second Olympic Gold Medal as he has been lacking competitive matches for over two months.
“Nadal is the best option we have to win a medal”.
“It’s true that in doubles, I might go better, but you never know”, he said.
Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka has withdrawn from the Olympics due to a back injury aggravated in Toronto last week.
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The women’s singles have been stripped of Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, who is pregnant, Belinda Bencic and Karolina Plis-kova.
