"No one mentioned Novak Djokovic"; "If I was French, I'd feel p*ssed"- Fans debate as Rafael Nadal carries Olympic torch at Paris opening ceremony

Rafael Nadal got the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch through the Seine River during the customary rally of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Games on Friday, July 26. The two-time Olympic gold medalist received the flame from former French footballer and 1998 Ballon d'Or winner Zinedine Zidane. While some fans were elated to see the Spaniard getting honored, others were not too impressed.

On the boat journey through the Seine, Nadal had the company of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, American track and field athlete Carl Lewis, and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci.

Some tennis fans on X (formerly Twitter) cherished Nadal's moment in Paris, the city where he has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. However, a few were not happy with a non-French athlete getting the honor.

"If I was a French sportsperson and saw Nadal and Serena Williams getting this honour I’d feel a bit p*ssed off #OpeningCeremony," a fan wrote.

One fan took the opportunity to take a dig at 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. The fan wrote:

"When the Serbia boat came by, no one even mentioned Djokovic’s name. Ha ha ha."

At this, the respective fan bases of Nadal and Djokovic started a debate, targeting one another's favorites. Following are some of the tweets carrying those contrasting views:

"Carrying the Olympic torch is not, and has never been a criteria for GOAT. Popularity keeps Rafa in the conversation, but that's all that keeps him in the conversation. He has no actual case," a fan wrote.

"I agree with this. Rafa absolutely earned his right to be celebrated in Paris," a fan commented.

"And I’m supposed to believe the goat is a dude who won a couple more slams playing like twice the tournaments Rafa did," a fan wrote.

"Djokovic is not only two extra grand slam, he has highest masters title, weeks as number 1 ( twice of your torch bearer) and highest year end number 1. These numbers are result of resilience and hard work in last two decades against a biased system," a fan remarked.

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Rafael Nadal joins Carlos Alcaraz for doubles duty against Argentina, Novak Djokovic faces Matthew Ebden at Paris Olympics 2024

Novak Djokovic poses with the medal. (Getty)

Rafael Nadal will kickstart his Paris Olympics 2024 campaign in collaboration with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz for a doubles duel with Argentina's Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez on Saturday, July 27.

This is likely to be the 22-time Grand Slam champion's final appearance at the Games as a player. He has won Spain two medals — a singles gold in Beijing (2008) and a doubles gold alongside Marc Lopez in Rio (2016).

Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, is chasing the coveted gold ribbon for the fifth time in his career. He possesses a bronze in singles from his showing at the Beijing Olympics. He will open against Australia's Matthew Ebden in Paris on Saturday.