After 'tiring' comeback campaign in Chile, tennis ace hopes for better show at Brazil Open
Rafael Nadal said yesterday that he felt a bit tired after a hard but positive tournament in Chile but vowed to do his best at this week’s Brazil Open. “I am happy to be here in Brazil for the second time,” the 26-year-old Spanish tennis star told a press conference. “My knee is OK. There are days when it hurts, this limits me but I have confidence it will improve.” The 11-time Grand Slam champion, who lost the singles and doubles finals on Sunday at his comeback event in Vina del Mar in Chile following a seven-month knee injury absence, is the top seed at the Brazil Open, an event he won in 2005.
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“I am a bit tired after a hard week in Chile. But it was positive. The process of recovery follows its course. As always, I come here to do the best possible and hope that things turn out all right,” Nadal said.
He said it was impossible for him to change his style of play because of his left knee injury. “I hope to continue with my style of play and I am confident that my body will respond,” he added.
Asked when he expected to be 100 percent fit, he responded: “I cannot know the future. If my knee allows, I will do everything possible to be at my best. I am a player who plays with a lot passion, a lot of energy. I suppose that does not help the knee.” He said his worst moment during his seven-month absence was when he realised he could not compete for Spain and defend his title at the London Olympics.
“My long-term objective is to be in Brazil in 2016 (for the Rio Summer Olympics). I am going to work to arrive in good conditions at what are likely to be my last Olympics,” he said.
World No 5 Nadal will first-up partner Argentine David Nalbandian against Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez here.