BANGKOK (AP): Thailand has given Rafael Nadal a welcome more suitable for royalty than a tennis player upon his arrival for a tournament in Bangkok.
Nadal will take part in the Thailand Open beginning Monday. Fresh from his U.S. Open victory, Nadal was greeted with flower garlands at the airport and was led through throngs of reporters by tennis officials and police.
The world's top player had been a late withdrawal from the tournament the previous two years, but is injury free for this year's event.
After a few days at a beach resort, Nadal will meet Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and visit Parliament next week before turning to tennis.
