In the Olympic Torch Relay during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, several tennis players, including Rafael Nadal, took part. His photo of himself taking part in the celebrations beneath the glistening Eiffel Tower has gone viral. The Spaniard was one of the unexpected bearers of the renowned Olympic torch.
Over three million people viewed the image that he posted on his X (previously Twitter) account.The Friday, July 26, opening ceremony for the Paris Games was held. 24 athletes participated in the renowned Olympic Torch Relay during the ceremony. Typically, the relay is limited to athletes from the home country, but France made an exception by inviting some of the best Olympians from other countries to take part.At the Trocadero, Rafael Nadal, a Spanish tennis player, received the Olympic torch from former French footballer Zinedine Zidane. This captivating photo of the 14-time French Open champion was taken while he was carrying the Olympic torch beneath the glittering Eiffel Tower.
Four-time American gold medallist Serena Williams, five-time Romanian gold medallist Nadia Comaneci, and nine-time American gold medallist Carl Lewis joined Nadal as he carried the torch across the Seine.After the boat ride was over, the two-time Grand Slam winner and French Open director Amelie Mauresmo received the torch from the quartet.
It was even carried by 100-year-old Olympic champion Charles Coste before the torch arrived at the Cauldron, which was situated in the Jardin des Tuileries. At the Olympics in 1948, he took home the gold in cycling. Sprinter Marie-Jose Perec and French judo legend Teddy Riner lit the cauldron.
Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya on the Nadal-Alcaraz tandem at the Paris Olympics: “A partnership tennis fans can fall in love with.”
Nadal, on the other hand, will begin his singles event later against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.
On July 27, at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, sixth-seeded Maximo González and Andrés Molteni of Argentina will be Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s first opponent. Following his first-round singles match against Hady Habib of Lebanon, Alcaraz will play the doubles match.
Tennis fans will fall in love with Nadal and Alcaraz’s team, known as “Nadalcaraz,” says the 38-year-old’s coach Carlos Moya.
“You witness Rafa’s charisma and experience. And then you see Carlos, who is quite expressive and gregarious and appears to be around 20 or 21 years old. It’s a partnership that tennis fans can fall in love with, so hopefully they can continue,” Moya stated (via ATPTour)