Feliciano Lopez says he's skipping Olympics in Rio

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Spanish tennis player Feliciano Lopez says he will not play at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 23rd-ranked Lopez wrote on his Twitter account that he has decided to focus on his preparations for the summer tournaments in the United States.

Lopez, who would likely be eligible to make it to the tournament in Rio, played at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2012 Games in London, both times failing to win medals.

The 34-year-old Lopez says it was ''a difficult decision to make'' and that he hopes other Spanish players can have the chance to enjoy the ''unforgettable experience'' of being part of the Olympics.

Rafael Nadal, the 2008 Olympic champion, will be Spain's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony on Aug. 5.