Nadal targets 2016 Rio Olympics

February 13, 2013 03:46 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 10:27 pm IST - Sao Paulo

Spain's Rafael Nadal, playing doubles with Argentina's David Nalbandian, returns the ball to Spain's Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (unseen), during a Brazil Open ATP tournament tennis doubles match in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday.

Spain's Rafael Nadal, playing doubles with Argentina's David Nalbandian, returns the ball to Spain's Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (unseen), during a Brazil Open ATP tournament tennis doubles match in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday.

Former World No.1 Rafael Nadal has revealed the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has provided him with motivation to continue his career beyond the age of 30.

The 11-time Grand Slam winner is competing in both the singles and doubles tournaments at the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo, his second tournament since returning from a seven-month layoff due to a knee injury, reports Xinhua.

“The long-term objective in my mind is to play in Rio in 2016,” the 26-year-old said during a press conference Tuesday.

“I know it’s a long way from now, but it is also a real objective for me.”

Nadal will be 30 years and two months when the Olympics begin Aug 5, 2016.

This week’s event marks the Spaniard’s first appearance in Brazil since winning the same tournament as an 18-year-old in 2005.

It follows his defeat in Sunday’s Chile Open final to 73-ranked Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (7/2) 6-7 (6/8) and 4-6, his first competitive event since Wimbledon last June.

Nadal is partnering Argentine David Nalbandian in the doubles, which began Tuesday night, while he will start his singles campaign Thursday against the winner of the Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo—Joao Souza match.

Despite an encouraging return in Chile, Nadal talked down his chances of lifting the singles trophy in Brazil.

“After so many months away it’s difficult and illogical to think about winning titles,” the 26-year-old said. “Even though my knee continues to hurt me, the doctors say everything is fine and that my recuperation is going to plan.”

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.