July 19, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Defending Olympic tennis champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the London Games due to tendinitis in his knee. Nadal was set to carry the Spanish flag at the opening ceremony in London. He beat Fernando Gonzalez for the singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"I am not in condition to compete in the London Olympics, and therefore, will not travel as planned with the Spanish delegation to take part in the games," said Nadal. "I have to think about my companions, I can’t be selfish and I have to think of what’s best for Spanish sport … and give fellow sportsmen with better preparation the chance to compete. I tried to hurry my preparations and training to the very last minute, but it was not to be."
Nadal has not played since losing in the second round of Wimbledon to then 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol. Nadal won his 11th Grand Slam title and seventh French Open earlier this season.
"It is one of the saddest days of my career," said Nadal. "You can imagine how difficult it was to take this decision."
