Pics: Rafael Nadal carries the Olympic torch on a memorable Parisian night

07/26/2024 05:58 PM

Rafael Nadal is competing in Paris, maybe for the last time, entering the Olympic Games in one of his favorite cities and stepping on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 14-time Roland Garros champion received a massive honor during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, receiving the Olympic torch from Zinedine Zidane and passing it to Amelie Mauresmo. Nadal was among the last athletes who carried the Olympic torch before it fired the Olympic flame, feeling proud in a red jacket with the Spanish flag. The legends Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci and Serena Williams stood by Rafa on the river Seine, creating a memorable scene and celebrating the most significant sporting event on the planet. The veteran left his injury concerns behind and enjoyed a special Parisian night ahead of his Olympic debut on Saturday. Nadal will compete at the Olympic Games for the fourth time, winning the singles gold in Beijing 2008 and adding another gold medal in Rio 2016 with Marc Lopez.

The 38-year-old will give everything to achieve more glory in Paris, although things do not look bright for him following the right thigh issues. Rafa did not practice on Thursday and stepped on the court with Carlos Alcaraz on Friday before the ceremony. Nadal and Alcaraz will play their first-round doubles match against Gonzalez and Molteni on Saturday on Court Philippe-Chatrier, hoping for a winning start. Rafa is currently uncertain about his singles campaign, with Marton Fucsovics awaiting in the first round. Nadal missed almost all the action in 2023 after injuring his left hip at the Australian Open. Eager to extend his career, Rafa returned in January this year, reaching the quarter-final in Brisbane before staying away from the court until April. The king of clay embraced the swing on his beloved surface, falling in the second round in Barcelona and Rome and competing in the fourth round in Madrid.

The 14-time Roland Garros winner faced world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round in Paris, suffering a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 loss in three hours and five minutes. Nadal satruggled behind the initial shot, facing 18 break points and defending 12. Still, Zverev sealed the deal in straight sets with those six break, overcoming the deficit in the second set and moving over the top with a strong performance in the third. Rafa missed the grass season and trained in Mallorca and Greece before returning to action in Bastad. The 2005 champion reached his 131st ATP final and the first in over two years, falling to Nuno Borges in straight sets. The veteran endured the physical efforts before expoeriencing another setback in Paris. Rafa and his team are hoping to overcome it and compete in both draws, eager to win a medal for Spain.