Fit-again Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal commits to playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Olympics
Sweating it out: Spain's Rafael Nadal during a practice session in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday
Rio de Janeiro: Rafael Nadal committed himself to playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the Olympics despite serious concerns over whether or not his left wrist injury will survive the gruelling challenge.
Sweating it out: Spain's Rafael Nadal during a practice session in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
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"After discussing it with my team, I have decided I will play everything that I can. We are here and practice has gone well," said the 30-year-old Spaniard after an intense, 90-minute session with David Ferrer. "It's not an ideal situation — there are always risks."
World No 5 Nadal spent a lengthy period after his practice session on centre court discussing his plans with the team doctor and team captain Conchita Martinez. He is scheduled to play doubles with Marc Lopez and mixed doubles with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza.
'Strong training'
"Yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) have been my strongest training in two months and the wrist has not gotten worse," he added.
Nadal hasn't played at all since he was forced to quit the French Open before the third round after damaging tendons in his left wrist. He missed Wimbledon as a result. The protective brace he wore on his wrist since Paris was missing on Tuesday.
The 14-time Grand Slam title winner was the gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but missed the 2012 London Games because of a knee injury.
He is due to carry his country's flag at Friday's opening ceremony in Rio. Nadal admitted that his best medal chance may be in the doubles where the burden is shared. "It's true that in doubles, I might go better, but you never know," he said.
"I will do everything possible to make my role the best and bring something positive for Spain." Nadal's decision to play in all three events was a major boost for the organisers who on Tuesday saw World No 4 Stan Wawrinka pull out with a back injury. Wawrinka was replaced in the draw by big-serving Australian Sam Groth.
Last week, World No 3 and 17-time major winner Roger Federer also withdrew and shut down his season to recover from a knee injury.
Top stars missing
Fellow top 10 players Milos Raonic, Tomas Berdych and Dominic Thiem have also opted out of the Olympics. Among women, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, who is pregnant, Belinda Bencic and Karolina Pliskova will be absent. Maria Sharapova, silver medallist behind Serena Williams in 2012, is serving a two-year doping ban.
The men's doubles was also tainted when defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan opted out, citing health reasons but not specifically blaming the Zika virus.
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