By Jeremy Eckstein (Featured Columnist) on July 23, 201

Rafael Nadal certainly did not want to withdraw from playing tennis in the 2012 Olympics. Nadal is not a bystander. He is the defending gold medalist in men’s singles, and the chosen flag bearer for Spain.

Nadal stated via the Associated Press that "This is one of the saddest days of my career as one of my biggest ambitions, that of being Spain's flag bearer in the opening ceremony of the games in London, cannot be."

This was not a tactical move simply to rest for the hard courts season and the U.S. Open. Nadal’s competitive itch will burn as he watches Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and other ATP players battle for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a gold medal on Wimbledon’s grass.

Imagine you’re Nadal. It’s just not the same kicking back with your friends as you watch the Olympics on HD, munch potato chi ... Читать дальше »