Rafael Nadal (Photo : NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal is set to stage a practice session with world No. 2 Andy Murray ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil next month.
After Nadal made it into the final entry list of participants for Rio, the King of Clay will take the next step in his preparation for the Olympic Games. Nadal, Spain's flag-bearer at the quadrennial sporting event, is to have practice sessions in Mallorca with Murray, who is fresh off his third Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon
"I am not ready to practice with such a high-level player [Murray] yet but I hope to do it in the middle of next week. I am going step-by-step. I hope everything turns out well this time, unlike in London," Nadal told TTDeporte as reported by Tennis World USA.
Murray has already arrived in Mallorca and was spotted practicing at the Rafael Nadal Academy with coach Jamie Delgado. The Scot has practiced with the 14-time Grand Slam winner in Manacor when the two rivals were preparing for the French Open.
Meanwhile, Nadal is still recovering from a left wrist injury sustained at the French Open in May, forcing withdraw mid-event from Roland Garros and skip Wimbledon. The 30-year-old Spaniard admitted he won't probably be competing at "100 percent" in Rio, but Nadal is optimistic he could recover his form and health as he gears up for the grandest sporting event in the world.
"In singles it seems impossible to me being 100% competitive after being out [of competition] for two months. My goal is to arrive to Rio recovered and ready to give my best in every practice. I am recovering even if I am preparing physically and on the tennis court," Nadal said.
As part of his preparation for the Olympics, Nadal will skip the Rogers Cup in Toronto next week, joining the likes of Murray and career rival Roger Federer. While playing in Toronto would have helped in Nadal's bid to recover his form in time for Rio, he insisted the priority is to be in full health and continue playing tennis in the foreseeable future.
"Toronto was important to prepare for Rio but we couldn't skip recovery steps," Nadal said. "I want to play tennis in the next years and the priority is being healthy."
