Nadal suffering in uncertain Paris run-up

Rafael Nadal is hoping that a thigh injury which has prevented him from training will not get in the way of his last Olympic showing when the Paris tennis event begins on Saturday.

The 38-year-old was unable to practice on Thursday with reigning Tokyo gold winner Alexander Zverev, due to the problem.

Spanish team officials are hoping the worry will heal enough to allow a first-round encounter with Marton Fucsovics.

Paris media reports said the gold medallist from Beijing 2008 has his thigh bandaged.

Should he get past his opening Hungarian opponent, Nadal would almost certainly play in the second round with longtime rival Novak Djokovic, with the Serb 37, desperate to add a first-time Olympic gold to his massive collection of honours.

Nadal is also paired with Carlos Alcaraz in men’s doubles.