Rafa Nadal expressed his ambition to take part on this 12 months’s French Open and the Olympics, stating on Wednesday that he goals to compete in each occasions.
The 37-year-old Spaniard, a former world No. 1, boasts a formidable file of twenty-two Grand Slam singles titles, with 14 of them coming from the French Open.
“I don’t know which events I have left to play, but between you and me, it’s not going to be many,” Nadal mentioned in an interview with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta.
“(Roland Garros) will be one of my goals,” he added when requested whether or not he would play in his favourite Grand Slam event in May.
“I’d like to play at the Olympics as well. It’s not something I can confirm right now, but I hope I will … I think I will.”
Nadal, sidelined by damage for many of 2023, pulled out of subsequent week’s Qatar Open on Wednesday, suspending his return to aggressive tennis as he has not recovered from a torn muscle he suffered in Brisbane final month.
Nadal additionally spoke about his ties with Saudi Arabia after being appointed ambassador of the nation’s Tennis Federation final month.
“They pay me, yes, do I need the money? Not at all, it will not change my life. I have not signed a super contract, like other fellow athletes who are there and I totally respect them,” he mentioned.
Nadal reached an settlement with the Middle East nation for a long-term dedication to assist develop the game and encourage a brand new technology of tennis gamers and he plans to create a Rafa Nadal Academy within the nation.
“My commitment is to promote tennis and try to achieve my goals. I don’t think Arabia needs me to wash its image. It is not my objective. People tend to give their opinions without asking questions,” Nadal mentioned.
“It goes without saying that when I accepted, I knew what would happen. I think my team made a mistake in communication and that I should have come out to explain it,” he added.
Saudi Arabia has invested billions in international sport, together with soccer, biking, motor racing and golf, drawing heavy criticism from individuals who name it an try and distract consideration from the nation’s human rights violations.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
