Nadal aims to play at French Open, Olympics

Agency :
Rafa Nadal hopes to compete at this year’s French Open and the Olympics, the former world number one said on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old Spaniard has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 French Open crowns.
“I don’t know which events I have left to play but between you and me, it’s not going to be many,” Nadal said in an interview with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta.
“(Roland Garros) will be one of my goals”, he added when asked whether he would play in his favorite Grand Slam tournament in May.
“I’d like to play at the Olympics as well. It’s not something I can confirm right now, but I hope I will… I think I will.”
Nadal, sidelined by injury for most of 2023, pulled out of next week’s Qatar Open on Wednesday, postponing his return to competitive tennis as he has not recovered from a torn muscle he suffered in Brisbane last month.
Nadal also spoke about his ties with Saudi Arabia after being appointed ambassador of the country’s Tennis Federation last month.
“They pay me, yes, do I need the money? Not at all, it will not change my life. I have not signed a super contract, like other fellow athletes who are there and I totally respect them,” he said.
Nadal reached an agreement with the Middle East country for a long-term commitment to help grow the sport and inspire a new generation of tennis players and he plans to create a Rafa Nadal Academy in the country.