Nadal In Brazil And Looking Ahead To The Olympics In 2016

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 17th February 2014

Nadal In Brazil And Looking Ahead To The Olympics In 2016

epa04083708 Spaniard Rafael Nadal leaves the court following a training session for the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 17 February 2014. The Rio Open tennis tournament takes place from 17 February through 23 February 2014. EPA/ANTONIO LACERDA |

Nine years after his last ATP appearance in the country as a raw teenaged talent, Rafael Nadal is back on court in Brazil and eager to make a fresh start in 2014 in the land of football and samba.

The Rio event was brought down from the US and turned into a 500 series by the ATP in an effort to boost the tennis profile in what officials are convinced is a growing market.

Nadal’s mighty presence has already reportedly lifted ticket sales and resulted in a sellout for this weekend’s wrap-up. The world No. 1 Spaniard had to make a late decision to play after withdrawing from the tournament in Buenos Aires due to a virus.

It will have been three weeks since Nadal was beaten in the final of the Australian Open by Stanislas Wawrinka, with the Spaniard plagued by back problems from which he may or may not have fully recovered. Nevertheless, Nadal is insistent that he can play through this week in Rio and follow up with the two North American Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.

The South American clay swing brings back memories for the 27-year-old. “When I won the tournament [at Costa do Sauipe] in Brazil in 2005, that was the start of my success,” he told local media. “I was able to play one of the best seasons of my career, winning 11 titles.

“Last year was an important one, playing in Sao Paulo (February 2013) after coming back from an important injury and a long-time not playing on the tour. To win in Sao Paulo gave me confidence again to compete well.”

As it is played on clay, Nadal is a fervent supporter of the Rio tournament, couching his preference in generic diplomatic language. “Tennis has to move to places where there is love and passion for the sport, so it is important to have tournaments in South America.

“Tennis is a global sport, so to have tournaments in new places is great for our sport. Cities and countries in Latin America have developed a lot over the years, so it is good to see tournaments are getting bigger and bigger in this part of the world.”

The Spaniard is also hoping to be back in 2016 for the Olympics. “It is difficult to predict what will happen over the next two-and-a-half years, but I am motivated to arrive at the Olympic Games in 2016 and be competitive.

“The fact that the Olympic Games will be on clay gives me a little bit of extra motivation. Representing my country at an Olympic Games, at Beijing 2008, was one of the greatest moments of my career.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, brazil, Buenos Aires, Olympics, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

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February 17, 2014 at 2:19 pm

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