Rafael Nadal drops out of the Olympic Games, says it’s “one of the saddest moments of my career”

Rafael Nadal, the 2008 Olympic champion, said Thursday that he will not be able to play in this year’s Games which begin next week in London.

“Today is one of the saddest days of my career,” Nadal said. “You can imagine how difficult it was to take this decision.”

The Spanish superstar was scheduled to carry Spain’s flag during opening ceremonies.

“I am not in condition to compete in the London Olympics and therefore will not travel as planned with the Spanish delegation to take part in the games,” he said in a statement. “I have to think about my companions, I can’t be selfish and I have to think of what’s best for Spanish sport, especially tennis and Spanish players, and give fellow sportsmen with better preparation the chance to compete. I tried to hurry my preparations and training to the very last minute, but it was not to be.”

Nadal did not say what ails him but it is believed to be knee problems which have also plagued him in the past.

Now ranked third in the world, Nadal lost in the second round at Wimbledon last month. This year’s Olympic tournament will also be held on the grass courts of Wimbledon with Roger Federer, now the number one player in the world, favored to take the title.