WATCH: Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Amelie Mauresmo pass torch in iconic relay before cauldron lighting at Paris Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony

Rafael Nadal Serena Williams Paris Olympics 2024
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Amelie Mauresmo participate in iconic torch relay (Source: All from Getty Images)

Tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Amelie Mauresmo graced the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 27 with their presence. They participated in the iconic torch relay, passing the flame among themselves before it lit the Olympic cauldron.

During the 12th and final chapter of the ceremony, called 'Eternité', Rafael Nadal received the torch from French football legend Zinedine Zidane, who had taken it from the mysterious torch-bearer.

The Spaniard then passed the torch to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams:

They were joined by track and field star Carl Lewis and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, embarking on a journey down the Seine with the torch in a boat.

Watch the video below:

After the boat reached its destination, Rafael Nadal handed the prestigious torch to former World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, the current director of the French Open.

Nadal hands over the torch to Mauresmo (Source: Getty)
Nadal hands over the torch to Mauresmo (Source: Getty)

Mauresmo carried the torch for a while before passing it to former NBA legend Tony Parker. Joined by other Olympians and Paralympians, they made their way to the cauldron. The final torchbearers, French athlete Marie-Jose Perec and judo practitioner Teddy Riner lit the cauldron, following which a hot air balloon lifted the flame high into the Paris sky.

The Olympic cauldron in the sky (Source: Getty)
The Olympic cauldron in the sky (Source: Getty)

Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Amelie Mauresmo are Olympic medalists

Rafael Nadal pictured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Source: Getty)
Rafael Nadal pictured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Source: Getty)

Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Amelie Mauresmo have all won Olympic medals during their careers. The American stands out with four medals (all gold), the Spaniard has earned two golds, while the Frenchwoman follows suit with one silver.

While Williams and Mauresmo have retired, Nadal is still active and aiming for his third Olympic medal in Paris this year, his fourth appearance at the Games. He told the media:

"To play in the Olympics is completely different than any other tournament. That it is at Roland-Garros is only a detail for me. Obviously, I have felt very comfortable all my life playing here and it’s the most important place in my sporting career. I’m not experiencing it like a Roland-Garros but as an Olympics."

The 22-time Major champion will kick off his singles campaign against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics on July 28 and play doubles with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz the day before.

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

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Edited by Pritha Ghosh
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