Rafael Nadal on Saturday admitted he was not at his best for the Olympics after a sensational season which has earned him the number one ranking. The Spaniard has already played 72 matches this year, reaching nine finals and winning seven. He is set to reach the top spot on August 18.
"I'm probably not in my best moment because I've played a lot of matches," he said. "But at the same time I'm playing probably the last big tournaments, here and the US Open. They're very, very important. I also have the Davis Cup but it's in Spain." The 22-year-old left-hander conceded he had one eye on the US Open where he can seal his third Grand Slam this year and pull away from Roger Federer in the rankings.
"The Olympics are very important because it's only once every four years and you never know if you will come back. I'm young so hopefully I will," he said. "Grand Slams in tennis are more important." He quickly added: "But at the same time to play the Olympics is very special because you're representing your country so that's very special for everyone."
Nadal added he was facing a tough draw with likely matches against Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic if he is to reach the final. "Every match is difficult but if you see my draw it's very tough," he said. The Mallorcan has cut a relaxed figure around Olympic Green Tennis Centre, joking with Ana Ivanovic and Tommy Robredo and turning up to practice on a Segway scooter.
He has already played 16 tournaments this year, earning his fourth French Open crown and breaking through at Wimbledon in a classic final with Federer. Nadal said he preferred to concentrate on the matches in front of him rather than the top ranking, despite spending more than three years as Federer's number two. "I'm just focused on the Olympics right now," he said. "There's two very important tournaments coming up, here and especially the US Open later."
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