Spain Olympic chief: Nadal should be Opening Ceremony flag bearer

Rafael Nadal could carry Spain’s flag during the 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

Spain’s Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco believes Rafael Nadal should carry the country’s flag during the 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, he said in an interview with Libertad Digital on Monday. 

Nadal, 29, won a gold medal in singles in 2008, but withdrew before the 2012 games due to health reasons. He was originally set to be Spain’s flag bearer for the 2012 games.

Nadal, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, fell to fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the first round of the Australian Open. Verdasco toldMarca that he and Nadal have discussed playing doubles in the upcoming Olympic games. 

Since turning pro in 2001, Nadal has won 14 Grand Slam singles titles. 

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Spain’s flag bearer will be named in March. 

[h/t Olympic Talk]