The sí for three: Nadal to play singles and doubles in Rio
The 2008 Olympic champion wil lpartner doubles specialist Marc López in the men's and world number four Garbiñe Muguruza in mixed.
Rafa Nadal confirmed after the Spanish Olympic team touched down in Rio that he will take part in the singles and the mixed and men’s doubles at the Games in a bid to claim three tennis golds.
“I am going to play doubles and everything else I can. I talked to Conchita [Martínez, Spain’s Davis Cup captain], with my doctor and with myself. I have been training well. The situation with my wrist isn’t ideal but it hasn’t got any worse. That’s good news. We’re here and these are the options. We’ll do everything we can to compete well.”
“The wrist is in a process of healing. It’s not bad, but I have to admit it’s still uncomfortable,” Nadal added. Asked about the risk of aggravating the injury, which flared up at the French Open and has kept him on the sidelines since May, Nadal replied: “Obviously sitting on the sofa at home is safer than going outside but I’m going to everything to make sure I play as well as I can.”
Of his medal options, Nadal said: “In doubles, when often games are decided by small details, maybe I’ve got a better chance. I can only push myself to the limit. Nobody can tale the excitement of being at the Olympics away.”
In the men’s doubles Nadal will partner world number 21 Marc López, while in the mixed he will join forces with singles world number four Garbiñe Muguruza.