Rafael Nadal pulls out of the London Olympics due to niggling injury – Tennis News
Heartbreaking news for the Spanish tennis fans, as the world number three, Rafael Nadal, has withdrawn from the upcoming London Olympics. The defending champion was forced to take this decision due to his troublesome knee, which
has continued to hamper him from delivering his best throughout the running season.
A lot of hype had been created about Nadal’s title defence at the grandest stages in the world of sports but his decision of not playing at the mega event has broken millions of hearts. The King of Clay incurred an injury in his
second round match against Lukas Rosol at the Wimbledon Championships earlier this month but was expected to get physically fit by the start of Olympic Games. After consulting to his physicians, the Spanish number one has finally decided to pull out of the
London campaign to avoid any serious damage to his tender knee.
“I am not in [a] condition to compete in the London Olympics and therefore will not travel as planned with the Spanish delegation to take part in the games," said Nadal."I have to think about my companions, I can't be selfish and
I have to think of what's best for Spanish sport… and give fellow sportsmen with better preparation the chance to compete. I tried to hurry my preparations and training to the very last minute, but it was not to be. It is one of the saddest days of my career.
You can imagine how difficult it was to take this decision."
In absence of Nadal from the tournament draw, world number five, David Ferrer, will be leading the Spanish delegation with the intentions of bring home gold from London. Nadal’s withdrawal will certainly create a huge opening for
a number of other talented tennis stars to have a shot at the glory. World number one Roger Federer would have had a sigh of relief after the Spaniard’s abandonment, as he could have faced him in the semis or the final of the tournament. Underrated players
like Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych, Juan Martin Del Potro and Janko Tipsarevic will also have better chances to getting their hands on glory.
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