Saturday 27 August 2016 21:57, UK
Rafael Nadal has said he is excited to compete at the US Open, following a wrist injury which left him unable to compete at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Nadal returned to action earlier on this month at the Rio Olympics, reaching the singles semi-finals and winning gold in doubles with his friend Marc Lopez.
Although the Spaniard is not fully recovered from a wrist injury, which left him sidelined for two and a half months, he said he was exhilarated at the thought of heading into the last grand slam of the season.
"If you're not excited about the US Open, you're not a tennis player," he said.
Nadal admitted he was exhausted following his impressive display at the Olympic Games after competing in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
"The motivation, the passion, sharing moments with the team helped a lot," said Nadal.
"Winning a gold medal is always something unique, and I think I enjoyed it as much as I can during the whole event," he said.
"I finished the tournament completely exhausted... no more energy inside of my body."
The 30-year-old carried on straight from Rio to Cincinnati where he won his opening match before losing to teenager Borna Coric of Crotia.
"I am better, I am a little bit better," said Nadal. "It's true that the wrist bothers me a little bit less every day. I need to understand again to hit my normal forehand. During the wrist injury, always you try to find movements to avoid the pain.
"Today I can start the forehand, I think my normal forehand, but still needs time to feel that I am more confident on my wrist. But I am practicing well and I am competing well."
Nadal will be hoping his Rio elation will carry over to the Open, which he won in 2010 and 2013.
He will play his first-round Open match against Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin, who reached the fourth round in New York in 2012 but is 7-20 this season.
