Spaniard tennis player Rafael Nadal who won the first gold Olympic medal in tennis for his country, said on Sunday that the Beijing Olympic Village gave him extra energy.
According to reports reaching here, Nadal told the press that "with the companions near and with other Spanish athletes cheering me up every day. It has not been as it is usually, in a hotel. All of them have helped me a lot, although they don't know it. Thanks to them I have a medal."
Nadal defeated on Sunday Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6 (2) and 6-3 at the men's singles tennis final of Beijing 2008.
This is the 11th Olympic tennis medal for Spain, but it is the first gold.
However, Nadal affirmed that Swiss Roger Federer is the best. "There is not doubt that in tennis and technique Federer is the best. For me, he keeps being the best. The best one of the history. He has a talent that makes him to have a great variety of hits and more resources than anyone," Nadal said.
Federer was eliminated in the singles by the U.S. James Black, failing to make the semi finals.
But on doubles Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka won on Saturday the gold medal against Swedish Thomas Johansson and Simon Aspellin (6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4) and 6-3).
Nadal said that "I have not imagined to be at the podium, but it is special. I have heard the Spanish hymn, like when I won Roland Garros and some other time, but never like here. At the Olympic Games is special."
Nadal added that his immediate aim is "to finish the year as number one of the world and to be (in that place) the more time possible."
Nadal will travel to New York in few hours, where will compete next week at the U.S. Open.
(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2008)