Nadal to compete at #Rio2016
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the French Open on May 24, 2016.
Spain's Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will compete in all three tennis events at the Rio Olympics despite being not at his best after being sidelined with a wrist injury since May.
.@RafaelNadal at Rio airport yesterday via IB3 pic.twitter.com/nJHLTl7XHo
— @Vamos Rafa (@pooo_9248) August 1, 2016
There were doubts whether the 2008 gold medalist, who withdrew from the French Open and missed Wimbledon, would recover in time to compete at the Games.
#Nadal : "I'm excited to be in the Olympics - this [happens] once every four years." pic.twitter.com/AcZN05xphG
— Rafa Nadal Morocco (@ReyDelTenis_) August 3, 2016
After two days of training in Rio alongside compatriot David Ferrer, Nadal told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope on Wednesday, "It's evident that the condition of my wrist is not ideal and if it wasn't the Olympics, I would not take this risk.
"However, having spoken to my team and with Conchita Martinez [Spain's captain], I've decided to play the singles and everything else.
"There is always a risk but I trained six hours between Monday and Tuesday and although the wrist still bothers me, at least it hasn't worsened and that is great news. I already missed London."
I'm pleased @RafaelNadal healthy enough to enter all 3 #Rio2016 tennis events...
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) August 3, 2016
plus swimming, Greco Roman wrestling, & the decathlon!
The 14-time grand slam champion, 30, missed the Olympics four years ago with a knee injury.
The world number five who is due to be Spain's flag bearer, will compete in the singles event and also take part with Marc Lopez in the doubles and Garbine Muguruza in the mixed doubles.
"I'm going to do as best as possible in every event I play in," Nadal said.
"The doubles might be a better option for me considering how I arrive to the Olympics but you never know. The only thing I can say is that I will give my best and no one is going to take away my enthusiasm to compete at the Olympics in whatever way I can and to try to win a medal."
Finally something positive in the news: @RafaelNadal will compete in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles in Rio. pic.twitter.com/h8fHoe1QYt
— Tennis Photos (@tennis_photos) August 2, 2016
Nadal's recovery would come as a significant boost for tennis at the Games with several other high-profile players missing.
Swiss players Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka have pulled out due to injury problems while Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic withdrew citing fears over the Zika virus.
Martinez, captain of the Spain Fed Cup and the Davis Cup team, is optimistic Nadal will deliver.
"We needed time to see how the wrist will respond to intense training before confirming that he would play in all three events," Martinez said.
"It was a joint decision and it was an easy one to take."
Segunda sesin de entrenamiento de RAFA NADAL en Ro de Janeiro. (Va @agarciamuniz) pic.twitter.com/giI5qFQ5hr
— Tiempo de Juego (@tjcope) August 1, 2016
"It's obvious that he is lacking playing time but when we talk about Nadal, we know how competitive he is and what a great level he has. Nadal is the best option we have to win a medal. Rafa can do great things."