Paris Olympics 2024: Sharath Kamal relives a 16-year-old memory with tennis legend Rafael Nadal

As the Paris Olympics 2024 approaches, Indian table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal is taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The 42-year-old athlete, preparing for his fifth and final Olympic appearance, has shared a heartfelt moment from his past with tennis legend Rafael Nadal.

The athletes participating in the Games are currently living in the Olympic Village in the French capital.

The Paris Games mark a major milestone for Kamal, who previously competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well. That year, Nadal made headlines by clinching the gold medal in men's singles tennis defeating Chile's Fernando Gonzalez with a score of 6–3, 7–6, 6–3.

For Kamal, the Beijing Olympics were memorable not only for the competition but also for a special encounter with the Spanish tennis icon. Back in 2008, Kamal experienced a fanboy moment when he met Nadal. Now, 16 years later, as the Indian table tennis star prepares for his final Olympic Games in Paris, he has had the opportunity to reunite with Nadal.

In a post on his social media account, Kamal shared the photos 16 years across and expressed his admiration for Nadal.

“Such a pleasure to meet the tennis great Rafael Nadal once again. His consistency, longevity, and quality over the years has been so inspiring! Swipe to see us from 16 years ago,” wrote Sharath Kamal on Instagram.

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Sharath Kamal to be India’s flagbearer at the Paris Olympics 2024

Sharath Kamal will be India’s flagbearer alongside PV Sindhu at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 on July 26. This honor will be a fitting tribute to a career that has seen Kamal achieve great success.

Despite his impressive haul of 13 Commonwealth medals, including seven gold, and his two medals in the Asian Games and three in the Asian Championships, an Olympic medal has remained elusive for him and Indian table tennis.