Rafael Nadal has done everything he can to get fit in time for Rio, in a bid to win his second Olympic gold medal. However, it looks like that pesky wrist of his might not heal, with the Spaniard unsure of his participation on one of the grandest stages in sport.
Having been forced to pull out early from the French Open, a Grand Slam he has won a record nine times, Nadal could not make his presence felt at Wimbledon either owing to a wrist injury.
The 14-time Grand Slam winner also pulled out of the Toronto Masters tournament, along with Roger Federer – who would later be ruled out for the entire season – and Andy Murray, as he gave as much time as possible for his injury to heal, and hopes were raised of the 30-year-old's participation, when his coach and uncle Toni, gave a positive report on a practice session with Murray.
However, speaking to reporters on Monday, Nadal did not cut a confident figure, with a few practice sessions in Rio set to decide his participation in the Rio Olympics 2016.
"I will not be at the best level in any of the categories," Nadal, who won gold in the Beijing Olympics, but had to withdraw from the London edition because of injury, told reporters after landing in Brazil. "I have not competed for two months and I have not trained a lot.
"I will train a few days here to see what I can do and then decide what is best, to be more positive for me and the team."
While those words might not fill anyone with confidence over Nadal's chances of making it in time for the tennis event, which begins on Saturday, let alone compete against the likes of Djokovic and Murray, his uncle Toni, again, gave a more positive spin, even if the likelihood of the left-hander playing the men's singles, men's doubles and the mixed doubles remains slim.
"His wrist is so much better. We tried to practice normally," Toni said. "We played with a good level, a good intensity. "We are waiting until tomorrow (Tuesday) to take a decision to play all the things or not – singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
"Tomorrow we have to talk with (Spain coach) Conchita Martinez and with Rafa and what we think is better for the team, and then we play.
"Sure, sure, we play something."
