Nadal confident ahead of Rio despite lack of match practice

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal is optimistic he will be ready for the Rio Olympics despite heading into next month's Games having not played a competitive match since May 27 due to a left wrist injury.

The 14-time grand slam champion has been sidelined since injuring a tendon that forced him to pull out of the French Open after the second round and then miss Wimbledon.

World number four Nadal was expected to return to action at the Toronto Masters next week before travelling to Brazil, but he will also sit out that tournament to continue his recovery.

"I hope each day to go a little bit more and arrive in Rio well prepared, although as I always say there is nothing certain in this life," Nadal told reporters in his home town of Manacor on Wednesday.

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"I feel fine, working and undergoing the recovery process. The time schedule is correct, there are two and a half weeks to go before we start to compete."

Rafa Nadal won gold at the Beijing Olympics

Image credit: AFP

Nadal, who won gold at the Olympics in Beijing eight years ago, is eager to compete in Rio after missing the 2012 Games in London with a knee injury.

The 30-year-old has been named as his country's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony and will be one of four Spaniards competing in the men's singles.

He will also play in the men's doubles with Marc Lopez.

"The Olympics are just an experience that you can enjoy a few times in your career," he said. "I hope everything goes well, not like in London."

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