SPANISH tennis legend Rafael Nadal will be the official flag-carrier for Spain at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, due to take place in the Brazilian city between August 5 and 21.
The Mallorca-born star missed his chance to carry the flag at London 2012 because of a knee injury that forced him to scratch at the last minute, and basketball ace Pau Gasol did so in his place.
A petition on Change.org was started, calling for swimmer Mireia Belmonte to be flag-carrier since, as yet, this has never been a woman, but many Spaniards felt the honour should go to Nadal to make up for his bitter disappointment four years earlier – and pointed out that although Mireia is young and probably has several Olympics ahead of her, this could be Rafa's last chance to compete in the games.
He looked set to be a certainty for a gold in 2012, given his track record, but the knee injury meant he crashed out in the first round at Wimbledon shortly before and he was then off for seven months recover ing.
This and further injuries meant he lost form and is now only just starting to recover his former level of play, with wins at the Conde de Godó Barcelona Open on April 24 after beating defending title-holder Kei Nishikori in the final, and at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters a week earlier after emerging the victor against France's Gaël Monfils.
His earlier successes have included two Wimbledon titles, in 2008 and 2010; two US Opens, in 2010 and 2013; nine Roland Garros titles, nine Conde de Godó trophies, and an Australian Open in 2009, among numerous others.
The current ATP world number five had a medal-free Olympics in Athens 2004, but won the gold at Peking 2008, his second games.
Rio 2016 will be the third time he has competed, but the fourth time he has qualified.
Once known as the 'King of Clay', Rafa hopes to earn his nickname once again this year – in fact, his Barcelona Open title means he is now on level pegging with Argentina's legendary Guillermo Vilas with 49 clay-court victories.
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