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Rediff.com  » Sports » Can Nadal carry Olympic boost into US Open?

Can Nadal carry Olympic boost into US Open?

August 28, 2016 16:51 IST
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Rafael Nadal

IMAGE: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a shot during a practice session prior to the start of the 2016 US Open. Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for USTA.

Rafael Nadal was exhausted yet exhilarated following his emotional return to action at this month's Rio Olympics after an injury-absence and is looking forward to gearing back up for the US Open starting on Monday.

"If you’re not excited about the US Open, you’re not a tennis player," Nadal told reporters.

Injuries are affecting several top players heading into the last Grand Slam of the year in a season made even more hectic with the Olympics squeezed into the schedule.

Men's top seed Novak Djokovic, like Nadal, is also dealing with a wrist injury and women's number one Serena Williams is coping with a sore right shoulder.

Lefthander Nadal, sidelined after being unable to play his third-round match at the French Open because of an injured left wrist, decided to test himself in Rio.

"I was two months and a half outside of the competition, and not only outside of the competition, outside the practice courts. I couldn't practise," the Spanish fourth seed said at Flushing Meadows on Friday.

Nadal, 30, said he was determined to give it a try in Rio and ended up feeling good enough to compete in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

"The motivation, the passion, sharing moments with the team helped a lot," said Nadal, who reached the Rio singles semi-finals and won gold in doubles with his friend Marc Lopez.

"Winning a gold medal is always something unique, and I think I enjoyed it as much as I can during the whole event," he said.

"I finished the tournament completely exhausted ... no more energy inside of my body."

Rafael Nadal

IMAGE: Rafael Nadal of Spain practices during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day prior to the start of the 2016 US Open. Photograph: Steven Ryan/Getty Images.

Nadal carried on straight from Rio to Cincinnati where he won his opening match before losing to teenager Borna Coric of Crotia.

"I am better, I am a little bit better," said Nadal. "It's true that the wrist bothers me a little bit less every day. I need to understand again to hit my normal forehand. During the wrist injury, always you try to find movements to avoid the pain.

"Today I can start the forehand, I think my normal forehand, but still needs time to feel that I am more confident on my wrist. But I am practicing well and I am competing well."

Nadal hopes his Rio elation carries over to the Open, which he won in 2010 and 2013.

"I have been playing at a very high level. So that helped me to play well in the Olympics, and I hope it's going to help me to play well here," the 14-times grand slam winner said.

"When you go to the Olympics and finally you win a medal, it's just the most important thing that you can do. So I'm just very happy for that, one medal for my country."

Nadal will play his first-round Open match against Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin, who reached the fourth round in New York in 2012 but is 7-20 this season.

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Source: REUTERS
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