The 22-year-old will head into the Games hopeful of improving on his performance at the London 2012 Paralympics, where he was defeated in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Fernandez has made a promising start to the 2016 season, having narrowly missed out on booking a place in a Grand Slam final at the Australian Open earlier this year.

The Argentine came up narrowly short in the semi-final as he fell to a 6-3, 6-7, 9-7 loss to the eventual tournament winner Gordon Reid of Britain.

The world number six has previously finished as the runner-up at the Australian Open and US Opens in 2014, but won the men’s doubles at Wimbledon in 2015.

“It excites me from the deepest part of my heart,” Fernandez said after being named as the flagbearer.

“I will proudly carry Argentina’s flag and enjoy it every minute.

“I have never imagined this and it is incredible, saying that I am happy is not enough.

“This is too big, I simply would like to thank you all.”

Fernandez made his breakthrough as a player at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games, where he earned gold in the men’s singles event.

He was able to successfully defend that crown in Toronto last year, but also triumphed in the men’s doubles with his team-mate Ezequiel Casco.