Paris Olympics
Nadal, Serena Williams centre stage for lighting of Olympic cauldron
Rafa in motion Saturday with Carlos Alcaraz
July 26, 2024
AFP/Getty Photos
Rafael Nadal carries to Olympic torch on a ship on the Seine River alongside Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci.
By ATP Employees
Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have been centre stage for the lighting of the Olympic cauldron Friday evening in Paris, because the world’s eyes turned to the Metropolis of Lights for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.
Nadal, who has received 14 of his 22 Grand Slams titles in Paris at Roland Garros, obtained the Olympic flame from French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane earlier than boarding a ship on the Seine, the place he was joined by Williams, nine-time gold medallist Carl Lewis and five-time gold medallist Nadia Comaneci.
From Centre Courtroom to Centre Stage 💫
In a metropolis that has been so particular to him, all eyes are on you Rafa… what a second ❤️
@RafaelNadal | @olympics pic.twitter.com/erAnKzpVP6— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 26, 2024
The quartet then handed off to French tennis nice and Roland Garros match director Amelie Mauresmo, who carried the torch to the Louvre. French judoka Teddy Riner and former French monitor and area star Marie-Josée Pérec had the honour of lighting the distinctive cauldron, which resmbled an ascending balloon in tribute to the primary ‘aerostatic’ flight by the Montgolfier brothers at Versailles in 1783.
Nadal a former Olympic gold medallist in singles (2008) and doubles (2016 w/ Marc Lopez) and former No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings, is in motion on day one of many Olympic Tennis Occasion Saturday, partnering Carlos Alcaraz in doubles.
Rafael Nadal throughout Friday night’s Opening Ceremony in Paris.”>
Zinedine Zidane arms the Olympic Torch to Rafael Nadal throughout Friday night’s Opening Ceremony in Paris. Picture: Getty Photos