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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Well Done Rafa and Marc too, Missed the whole lot didn,t know what time you played, aus tv only showed Del Potro and Djokovich, Hope to see you play soon All the very best Vamos Eafa
Vamos Rafa. You were the handsomest Flag Bearer with the biggest n sweetest smile. OK I’m biased, but it is true! Disappointed I did not see the match, but the main thing is you won Champ. So proud of you Rafa. You will always be a draw card. Your personality, friendliness, n enjoyment of life attract people to you. Win or lose enjoy yourself kid. I am praying your wrist has healed n you keep on winning! God Bless You Rafa. Hope I see your next game, be it singles or doubles. Vamos Rafa. Lots of love from your Aussie Abuela. 🏆👑👯🎈🎈💥💥😀😊😇
OMG woke up to the news that Novak is out in his first match , his crown is gradually slipping and our Rafa is their waiting to reclaim it Maybe wishful thinking with Rafa’s wrist injury but no matter how far he goes in the competition his dream was to come to the Olympic and that winning smile said it all (thank you Del Porto)
Congratulations Rafa for your wins in both singles and doubles. I stayed up until 5-30 a.m. for the singles.although I could only follow the match on live scoring. However I did see the highlights of the singles on video later.
You seemed to be playing like your old self With Djokovic out (congratulations Del Potro)
you and several others have a better chance for a gold medal and I know you will play your heart out but please don’t damage your wrist further in the attempt.!!
OMG OMG OMG
Juan Martin DelPotro whooped the world number one!
Rafa, Creo que no debiste estar jugando dobles y sencillos. Parece que tu wrist todavia no esta muy bien. Cuidate mucho. No pude ver el match porque no supe la hora. Buena suerte y cuidate mi nene consentido.
Rafa, well done.ididn’t see the game but I am very pleased for you.
ALso you and Marc did well.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
You look good today . I miss you playing.
Rafa is on court for doubles!
YAAAAAA
Well done Rafa, so happy for you.
Vamos rafaluna!
So happy for you, Rafa. Onwards and upwards…
Golfer Martin Kaymer, a two-time major tournament winner, revealed that Nadal has been a magnet for other athletes at the Olympic Village in Rio, reports “Xinhua.”
“I saw him yesterday but he could barely eat, there were so many people wanting to talk to him and take pictures,” Kaymer was quoted as saying by the Olympic News Service on Saturday.
He also talked about how inspiring Rafa is and how he would love to talk sports with him.
I’d like to discuss his ads, and tennis of course.
RAFA ROCKS
I read that story too. Kaymer is a terrific golfer so it is really impressive to see his comments. I saw a story that said Rafa was the most mentioned athlete of all at the opening ceremony. He looked fantastic and was so happy.
I thought the same thing about Kaymer and his comments about Rafa so I thought it was a nice addition to fans’ comments here.
Re the other story you read, when you find something like that about Rafa share it here. Liven up the place a little. LOL Get us off the doom train. So many of us were sick with worry for him.
RAFA ROCKS RIO
Looked in great shape.. Hope his wrist is all healed up… Was awesome to see him be aggressive and close to the baseline. Was 10feet behind baseline maybe just a few points in the whole match esp on returns. Hope he goes for the shots and not worry too much about UE.. he is too good to keep missing if he commits to an agressive style of play.. By the way.. is Tony in Rio. I did not see him with the Spanish team courtside..
Cant wait to see Rafa in a couple of weeks in Cincinnati… yes I am going… Yipee….
I saw Toni in some practice pics of Rafa in Rio. I can’t imagine the media not mentioning if he were a no show, being the sensational headline seekers that they are. I hope all is well.
Serve Out, do you think he will still play in Cincy after his comment that he would not be playing if it was not the Olympics because his wrist is still not 100%? I have ticket for the whole WS Open too. I have been keeping my fingers crossed since May. This is my third year going and last year we went early and on,y got to see Rafa practice. Was hoping this wold be a great year for him so I was very encouraged by his play today but not that comment after wards!
Rafa was interviewed after his match saying that he still felt his wrist. I too wonder how Rafa could play Cincy. I have not seen his name in the ads for that tournament. Even Novak hinted that he would probably not play. I feel bad for the tournament.
Va4favre.. I am just hoping atleast the joker shows up in cinci.. since he is out of singles at rio.. also my money is on joker showing up to try and win the only masters 1000 he has never won.. curios where u read joker hint he won’t go to cinci.. regarding rafa.. I hope he makes it.. it was awesome to see rafa smash the competition in cinci in 2013.. even got to shake his hand on his way to the press box after the sf win against berdych 🙂
Well done Rafa so pleased for you One match at a time
Serve out, Novak mentioned that at his pre-tournament presser. That was before he lost last night, so he would clearly reassess that. Novak is supposedly having shoulder issues, so who knows.
A beautyful victory, Rafa! Great! 👍
I’m very lucky and very glad for you!
Vamos Rafa!
So happy for you. Good start today. Take rest..see you later on the court again. Vamos Rafa!!!
Great crowd support for Rafa:D!!
…and a pretty score for Rafa
RAFA ROCKS RIO
The SNARL is back!!!!!!!!!!!
RAFA fan forever.
Haha….if he plays doubles later today we’ll get to see more SNARLS….
I hope so.
RAFA REALLY ROCKS!!!!!
Happy for you Rafa!
One down, more to go.