Rafael Nadal excited about Rio 2016 Olympic Games – but first it’s time for carnival
Spanish tennis legend in town to defend his Rio Open title, and has been invited to take part in samba parade
Rafael Nadal won last year’s inaugural Rio Open, beating Alexandr Dolgopolov in the final (Getty Images/Buda Mendes)
Rafael Nadal may be in the ‘Marvellous City’ on serious business – to compete in the second Rio Open – but the Spaniard intends to enjoy himself all the same. Brazil’s biggest tennis tournament is being staged at the same time as Rio Carnival and the world no.3 has been invited – along with compatriot and world no.9 David Ferrer and retired Brazilian tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten – to take part in the grand samba parade on Sunday night.
“Even from a long way away, you hear that Rio Carnival is one of the most special events in the world,” said Nadal, who will play his first match on Tuesday night. “It will be a pleasure to take part in the parade here. It’s going to be a lot of fun, something that will last in the memory.”
Nadal, a 14-time grand slam champion, is defending the Rio Open title he won at last year’s inaugural event. Although the event is being played in Rio’s summer (with the ‘thermal sensation’ expected to exceed 40 degrees in the next few days) and the Olympic Games will be in the much cooler Southern Hemisphere winter, the tournament provides Nadal and his rivals with an important chance to get familiar with the city that will host the 2016 Olympic Games – an event the 28-year-old has already said he will compete in.
“I’m confident that the Olympic Games in Brazil will be a success,” said the Beijing 2008 Olympic champion. “Just as the country delivered an event as complex as the (FIFA) World Cup, it can deliver the Olympic Games to the same level. They are the two biggest sporting events in the world. And the energy of Brazil and Rio is special. For any athletes who compete in the Games here, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”
Nadal posted this photo, showing Christ the Redeemer in the background, on his Twitter account
The second Rio Open will be the fourth time has Nadal has competed in Brazil. He won all three of the previous tournaments he has played in the country (the 2005 and 2013 Brazil Open and last year’s Rio Open) and is happy to be back.
“For us players who speak Spanish and other Latin languages, we feel at home. And Latin America understands and is passionate about sport. The fans’ support is something special. I have to thank the Brazilian fans. In 2005, they helped me a lot in Costa do Sauípe. The same in São Paulo in 2013 and last year here in Rio, when I came here in a difficult time for me. It’s fantastic. I hope to come again for many more years.”
The Rio Open is Brazil's first ATP 500 Event (worth 500 points in the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings). It will be staged between February 16 and 22 on the eight clay courts of the Jockey Club Brasileiro, including a 6,200-seat main stadium.
