Would-be Spain flagbearer Rafael Nadal has revealed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the 2012 London Olympics due to a persistent knee injury.
The French Open champion, who many expected to carry Spain’s flag at the opening ceremony of the 2012 games, has pulled out of the tennis event due to the problem which dogged him during Wimbledon when he crashed out in the second round to unheralded Lukas Rosol.
“When I had to take the decision was the toughest moment. But it was something that I was thinking was going to happen for the last six, seven days because the knee was not improving,” he told Reuters.
Nadal added: “The only thing I can do is to work hard every day as much as I can to try to recover my knee as quick as possible in the tennis calendar.”
The Spaniard said he would look forward to the Olympics in Rio de Janiero in four years time, but admitted he was fully invested in the 2012 games and was deeply saddened to pull out.
“All I can say is that I did as much as I could to be there and to be ready but it wasn’t the right time. My emotion and my illusion (dream) to compete in the Olympics was more than ever,” he said.
“The only thing that I can do is to work hard and try to do the things that will create another opportunity in Rio 2016.”