Spain’s flag bearer for Rio 2016 is in jeopardy of missing out on the Olympics. Rafael Nadal has a question mark looming over his head on his Olympic eligibility based on the number of Davis Cup ties he has been nominated for. The Spaniard has only been a part of two Davis Cup teams and has to be present to at least three Davis Cup ties in a four-year cycle with one of those nominations coming in the last two years.
Nadal to Appeal
The 2008 gold medalist in Beijing will appeal to the International Tennis Federation on July 15. July 15 is the next round of Davis Cup matches and that is when the ITF Olympic Committee will discuss any outstanding men’s appeals on players who still have the chance to compete then. If Nadal, were not to win the appeal, it would be another gutting moment for him as he was forced to miss London 2012 because of injury. The Spaniard was supposed to be the flag bearer in 2012 as well.
Caroline Wozniacki was in a similar situation compared to Nadal’s. She had an insufficient number of Fed Cup ties played and appealed to the ITF. She won her appeal and was officially named to Denmark’s Olympic Tennis Team.
Nadal Battles Injury
The former world number one is still battling injury. He is battling a wrist injury, inflammation of the left tendon sheath, which forced his early withdrawal from the French Open and forced him to miss Wimbledon. He is set to return to action at the Rogers Cup on July 25 but may need to return sooner in hopes of keeping his Olympic dream alive.