(AP) – Rafael Nadal said Monday he’s not frightened by the Zika virus as he prepares in Brazil — the center of the viral outbreak — for this week’s Rio Open tennis tournament and the city’s Olympics in less than six months.
“I’m doing the things the people have told me. I’m going out at night. I’m not scared. I’m not worried about this. If it happens, it’s bad luck,” Rafa said.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain gives a press conference at the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Rafael Nadal of Spain gives a press conference at the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Rafael Nadal of Spain gives a press conference at the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
El tenista español Rafael Nadal habla hoy, lunes 15 de febrero de 2016, durante rueda de prensa del Abierto de Tenis de Río, en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). Nadal afirmó hoy que no le asusta “en absoluto” la emergencia sanitaria decretada en Brasil por la propagación del virus del Zika. EFE/Marcelo Sayão
El tenista español Rafael Nadal habla hoy, lunes 15 de febrero de 2016, durante rueda de prensa del Abierto de Tenis de Río, en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). Nadal afirmó hoy que no le asusta “en absoluto” la emergencia sanitaria decretada en Brasil por la propagación del virus del Zika. EFE/Marcelo Sayão
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
El tenista español Rafael Nadal habla hoy, lunes 15 de febrero de 2016, durante rueda de prensa del Abierto de Tenis de Río, en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/Marcelo Sayão
El tenista español Rafael Nadal gesticula hoy, lunes 15 de febrero de 2016, durante rueda de prensa del Abierto de Tenis de Río, en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/Marcelo Sayão
Rafael Nadal of Spain pauses during a press conference at the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain attends a press conference during a ATP Rio Open 2016 at Jockey Club Rio de Janeiro on February 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Feb. 14, 2016 – Source: Buda Mendes/Getty Images South America)
The virus is being linked to birth defects, and pregnant women have been cautioned not to travel to the country.
“I don’t know how serious the situation is, I see people living here totally normally. I see people on the streets, on the beach and in the restaurants. Things are going on like normal,” added Rafa.
Source: AP
Thank you Fan love for keeping us updated as the match hasn’t been shown here.Sounds like it was a great game from Rafa good news. Good luck for your next round Rafa hopefully this one will be televised
Great, Rafa keep on winning👍👍🐂🐃
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Congratulations on your Beautiful victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) That was a fun swift match with 3 bright ACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) You played solid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Rain & all you did it !!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : VAMOS sweetheart & enjoy celebrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) You came on the court a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) 🙂 : ) It was an interesting back & forth 2nd set with many great shots & net brilliance…… KODUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! With your determination you closed in a beautiful sharp WIN !!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Good night & sweet dreams ! : )
Back & forth breaking & RAFA just broke for the 3rd time leading 4:3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Go………………….GO……………………GO…………………….: )
ci…..ci…..ci…..Rafa just broke back for a 3:2 lead 2nd SET and now serving ….VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) It is nearly midnight yet Rafa is playing solid w great energy & stride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) GO…………………GO……………..GO………………
Game is back on….Rafa just broke for a 2:1 lead!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Rafa just won beautifully the 1st SET w a strong mighty command & fantastic speed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great solid Tennis sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
*Rain break……
Rafa is leading 3: 0 concluding serve game w a beautiful ACE ACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Playing fantastically…..sharp cookie! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Have Lots & lots of fun & a great fabulous match!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
* Rafa is about to go on the court for his match v Busta !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )
All the very best Rafa in Rio, play as hard as you can and get some wins if not the final, it will do you the world of good going forward in 2016.
Great selection of photographs, Rafael is so expressive., Best of luck in Rio
I am really sorry the last tournament did not work out. I know this one will be better. Good luck and stay well.
Suerte Rafa, has trabajado duro y dará sus frutos
Great photos. <3
I always love Rafa's attitude.
Vamos Rafa in Rio! 🙂
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
I could tell in the first two matches which you used to win 6_0 6_2 how you are struggling against lesser players time to ad new coaching to teach you how to become more aggressive and and attack the net
Good luck in Rio take care of yourself
Good luck for Rio! Vamos Rafa!