Roger Federer (Photo : Getty Images)
Roger Federer said he is "excited" to play in the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics, while Rafael Nadal could be Spain's flag-bearer at the event.
Federer is looking forward to his fifth Olympic Games appearance with still four months to go before the quadrennial event kicks off. The Swiss Maestro said the Olympics are "massively important" for him, admitting that it is one of the main goals for the 34-year-old this season.
'It's big," Federer told ITF Tennis. "This is my first time to Rio so I'm really excited about that. Obviously the Olympic Games for me are massively important."
"It's going to be different and it's clearly one of the big main goals for me of the season."
Federer has yet to test his form after recovering from a knee surgery that repaired a torn left meniscus, which he suffered a day after his Australian Open semifinal loss against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 3 was poised for a comeback at the Miami Open, but a stomach virus forced him to delay his return and instead make an appearance at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.
Meanwhile, Nadal, who is also bound to join Federer in Monaco on Apr. 10-17, is also bound for an Olympic and could be Spain's flag-bearer at the event.
According to Spanish Olympic Committee Alejandro Blanco, he wants to see the King of Clay carry the country's flag in Brazil as the Mallorcan has always been a "reference point in tennis." However, Blanco admitted that it will be the Olympic Federations Council who the name of Spain's flag-bearer.
"Nadal should be flagbearer in Rio and even more in this moment when he is treated unjustly," Blanco told Publico as translated by Tennis World USA.
"He has always been a reference point in tennis. It will be the Olympic Federations Council to decide the Flagbearer name in a reunion that will take place the last Wednesday of the month of April [27]."
Nadal, like Federer, will also return to competition at the Monte Carlo Masters after a dizzy spell forced the Spaniard to withdraw from the Miami Open in Key Biscayne. The 29-year-old has been struggling to win tournaments, but an appearance to the most decorated sporting event could boost his confidence to once again play at a high level.
