Rafael Nadal: ´I hope that in Rio everything turns out well this time, unlike in London´

Rafael Nadal met with the media in Mallorca to give important updates about his physical condition after having withdrawn from Toronto. He also confirmed what had long been rumored that he would be playing the Rio Olympics, in all three formats – singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The idea had always been that I did not do anything that could have affected my participation at the Olympics. Toronto was important to prepare for Rio but we couldn’t skip recovery steps. I hope to be able to compete in the three draws without any pain. I will arrive at Rio one week before the start of the Games. I hope to improve a bit every day and be well-prepared for Rio, although, as I always say, nothing is ever certain in life,' said the world no. 4 about his decision to skip the Rogers Cup and play in Rio.

Nadal also admitted that his match fitness wouldn’t be at 100%, but emphasized that he would try his best at the Olympics. 'In singles it seems impossible to me being 100% competitive after being out [of competition] for two months. My goal is to arrive to Rio recovered and ready to give my best in every practice. I am recovering even if I am preparing physically and on the tennis court. The most important thing is that the wrist recovers. I want to play tennis in the next years and the priority is being healthy.'

Then, speaking about playing mixed doubles, Nadal commented, 'I’ve never played mixed. At the end of the day it's still tennis. The sport does not change. Only tactics change and I suppose we will have some practice session in Rio. The most important thing is to play well.'

Andy Murray and Nadal are to have practice sessions in Mallorca together. Speaking about the practice session, Nadal said, ‘I am not ready to practice with such a high-level player yet but I hope to do it in the middle of next week. I am going step-by-step. I hope everything turns out well this time, unlike in London.'

Finally, he commented about the potentiality of Russian athletes being banned from the Rio Games because of WADA unearthing widespread doping during the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics. 'I don’t have an opinion. I do not know the topic well. But I’ve always said that anyone who cheats has to pay. However banning all the country is unfair if there are athletes who did not dope,’ he specified.