Kaymer reveals Nadal admiration

Nadal, who was in doubt for the Games due to a wrist injury, was Spain's flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday.

Published : Aug 07, 2016 06:10 IST , Rio de Janeiro

Spaniard Rafael Nadal is a popular man at the Rio Games village.
Spaniard Rafael Nadal is a popular man at the Rio Games village.
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Spaniard Rafael Nadal is a popular man at the Rio Games village.

Rafael Nadal is a popular man at the Rio Olympics and golf's former world number one Martin Kaymer is among his admirers.

Nadal, who was in doubt for the Games due to a wrist injury, was Spain's flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday.

The 14-time grand-slam champion is seemingly hard to get a hold of in Brazil, but that is unlikely to stop Kaymer.

"Nadal is one that is very inspiring, the way he is as a person," the two-time major champion said.

"He is very dedicated. I would love to see him for a few minutes and talk sports."

Former world number one Kaymer acknowledged the difficultly of the task awaiting him in his bid to catch up with Nadal.

He said: "I saw him yesterday but he could barely eat, there were so many people wanting to talk to him and take pictures."

Several high-profile withdrawals, including those of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, have marred golf's return to the Games. But the German said he never doubted his presence, despite the threat of the Zika virus being cited by the world's best.

"For me it would have been a big mistake not to come," Kaymer said.

"It is so inspiring, the work ethic and the way they [Olympians] dedicate their lives pretty much to their sport, because they don't make as much money as we do."

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