Nadal targets 2016 Rio Olympics

 　　SAO PAULO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal has revealed the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has provided him with motivation to continue his career beyond the age of 30.

　　The 11-time grand slam winner is competing in both the singles and doubles tournaments at the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo, his second tournament since returning from a seven-month layoff¹ due to a knee injury.

　　"The long-term objective in my mind is to play in Rio in 2016," the 26-year-old said during a press conference on Tuesday.

　　"I know it's a long way from now but it is also a real objective for me."

　　Nadal will be aged² 30 years and two months when the Olympics begin on August 5 in 2016.

　　This week's event marks the Spaniard's first appearance in Brazil since winning the same tournament as an 18-year-old in 2005.

　　It follows his defeat in Sunday's Chile Open final to 73rd-ranked Horacio Zeballos 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (8/6) and 6-4, his first competitive event since Wimbledon last June.

　　Nadal is partnering Argentine David Nalbandian in the doubles, which began on Tuesday night, while he will start his singles campaign on Thursday against the winner of the Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo-Joao Souza match.

　　Despite an encouraging return in Chile, Nadal talked down his chances of lifting the singles trophy³ in Brazil.

　　"After so many months away it's difficult and illogical to think about winning titles," the 26-year-old said. "Even though my knee continues to hurt me, the doctors say everything is fine and that my recuperation is going to plan."

1 layoff   

n.临时解雇，操作停止，活动停止期间，失业期

参考例句：

• Finally, prepare an explanation about what led to your layoff.最后，要准备好一套说辞来解释你被解雇的原因。
• Workers were re-employed after the layoff.在暂时解雇不久后工人们又被再度雇用了。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。