Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal is excited at the prospect of competing in the 2008 Olympic Games, which he rates alongside the Grand Slams and Davis Cup.

“I feel a special motivation for the Olympic Games,” Nadal said Sunday ahead of his season launching ATP Tour’s Chennai Open in southern India. “I consider the Olympics as important as the Grand Slams and Davis Cup, especially since it comes once in four years.”

“This year there is special significance because of the Olympic Games,” he said. “It is a special tournament and certainly provides a special motivation as it only happens once in four years.”

Rafael Nadal finished 2007 as No. 2 for the third year running, behind Swiss star Roger Federer.