Rafael Nadal has booked his place in the second round of the Rio Olympics courtesy of a straight-sets victory over Federico Delbonis this evening.
He needed 86 minutes to see off his Argentine opponent 6-2, 6-1. It was Rafa’s his first victory since the French Open in May, when a wrist injury disrupted his season.
After the match, Rafa said:
I’m very happy. It’s important for me to play well again and it was an unbelievable start. I played well mentally with strong concentration all match. (via ATP World Tour)
On making a winning return to tennis after two months out:
It was a very special moment for me. It was a great feeling to be back on the court, especially in an Olympic Games. It’s a different feeling to another competition so I enjoy it a lot – a match with a great crowd and I’m just happy with the way I started the competition. Was a great feeling. (via ITF)
On his still-fragile wrist:
If there was not Olympic Games here I would not be competing. The wrist need a little more time to be 100% recovered. It’s only one chance every four years and is something unforgettable. I missed London so I didn’t want to miss this one. I am enjoying a lot, I am happy, I am doing the best thing I can do every single moment to be ready for the action and today was a great feeling on court.
Rafa should return to begin his doubles campaign alongside Marc Lopez later today.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles First Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 07/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain in action against Federico Delbonis (ARG) of Argentina. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles First Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 07/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain in action against Federico Delbonis (ARG) of Argentina. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles First Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 07/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain in action against Federico Delbonis (ARG) of Argentina. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles First Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 07/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during his match against Federico Delbonis (ARG) of Argentina. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO MAIA
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles First Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 07/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning his match against Federico Delbonis (ARG) of Argentina. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles First Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 07/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning his match against Federico Delbonis (ARG) of Argentina. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador de Argentina, Federico Delbonis hoy, domingo 7 de agosto de 2016, en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after defeating Federico Delbonis of Argentina in a men’s singles first round match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tennis events at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 07 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after defeating Federico Delbonis of Argentina in a men’s singles first round match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tennis events at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 07 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
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Aww Rafael looks great in his Red outfit!Happy he’s through to second round.Pray success in all rounds -singles,doubles n mixed doubles.God bless.
YES !!!!!!! I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. DID NOT SEE. YOU AT THE OPENING CEREMONY BUT I AM SURE WITH YOUR WONDERFUL SMILE I WOULD HAVE RECOGNISED YOU AT ONCE. I HAVE BEEN YOUR GREATEST FAN FOR MANY YEARS.I AM 72 YEARS OLD. GO FOR IT NOW AND SHOW THE WORLD YOU ARE THE VERY BEST.
There is no one in the world that can Snarl and look as cute as Rafa !!! He’s adorable with those dimples and chiseled features! So happy to see him doing so well; I’m a bit worried about his wrist still hurting but maybe its just a bit stiff from not paying for so long. With Novak out …who knows what can happen!