With No. 1 Ranking Looming, Nadal Keen On Bringing Olympic Gold To Spain

August 6, 2008 11:48 p.m. EST

Beijing, China (AHN) - Spain's Rafael Nadal relishes the thought of supplanting Roger Federer for the world no. 1 ranking within the next few days, but he's more inclined to enjoy the next best thing these days-the Olympic fever.

Nadal will carry the colors for Spain in the men's tennis event, something that has taken the world no. 2 aback-for all the glitz, the glamor and the prestige of participating in the biggest sports competition in the world.

"To be world number one is a great thing, I've battled over many years to achieve it and it will be great, but I've got no time to enjoy it," he told Agence France-Presse. "I want to live the Olympic experience and enjoy that."

While the Swiss star, who's held the top ranking for a record 236 weeks, failed to halt Nadal's sizzling run in the sport, the heat and humidity of Beijing could. The Spaniard admitted the weather, combined with his fatigue from playing in consecutive tournaments, could affect his form in the event, which kicks off on Sunday.

"I've had a heavy schedule with no rest days," Nadal said. "I only had one week off after Wimbledon and in the U.S. I played a lot of matches."

Still, the champion at the All-England Club and Roland Garros feels he could take on anybody that the rest of the globe could offer in Beijing.

"It's difficult to feel fine as I still have jetlag but I've got a few days to recover and hopefully come Monday I'll be fine and will be able to give my best," he said.

Nadal was busier than ever this season, having played 17 more matches than anybody has played. He's won five straight tournaments coming to Beijing, although he could've had his sixth victory in a row had he not lost to Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati last week.