Rafael Nadal's History at Olympics: All you need to know before Spaniard's final dance at Paris 2024

There’s not a lot that tennis’ Big 3 — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — have not achieved, but a singles Olympic gold has eluded two of them. Nadal stands out in that aspect.

The Spaniard stood atop the podium at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, having beaten Fernando Gonzalez in the gold medal match. It was a significant victory as contenders also included Federer and Djokovic (more on the duo’s multiple ill-fated bids for the gold medal later).

As the Spaniard prepares for his possible last dance on sport’s biggest stage in Paris in around a month’s time, it makes for the perfect occasion to look back at his journey and what makes it that extra bit special.

---

A dream debut

Nadal after winning the gold medal match at the Beijing Olympics.

While Rafael Nadal technically made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Games in Athens, he only featured in the doubles discipline with Carlos Moya. The duo’s stay was short-lived as they exited in the first round.

Nadal’s debut in the true sense came four years later when he entered the singles discipline in Beijing as the second seed. Roger Federer was the top seed for the second consecutive Olympics.

The Swiss lost in the second round to Czech Tomas Berdych in Athens. His run at Beijing also came to a premature end after he lost in the quarterfinals to American James Blake.

Federer’s exit had opened the draw and it was the bottom half semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Nadal that drew eyeballs. The winner was widely believed to be the favorite to walk away with the gold medal.

Nadal prevailed in three topsy-turvy sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 and went on to bag the gold medal after beating Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3.

The Spaniard also featured in the doubles contest with Tommy Robredo, but could not clear the second-round hurdle. Federer won the gold partnering Stan Wawrinka as a consolation.

---

Rafael Nadal doubles the joy with another gold

Nadal and Marc Lopez with the Rio Olympics gold medal.

A tendinitis injury to the knee prevented Rafael Nadal from participating in the 2012 London Olympics, but he was back for the Rio edition of the Games in 2016.

Nadal came agonizingly close to another singles medal after making the semifinals. Double heartbreak, however, was in store as he lost two three-set matches — to Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinal and Kei Nishikori in the bronze medal match to miss out on another podium finish.

The Spaniard was the third seed at the tournament, but Del Potro, who had also dashed Novak Djokovic’s dream of an Olympic gold in the opening round, had other plans.

Nadal, however, managed to double up on the joy as he bagged the gold in doubles whilst partnering childhood friend Marc Lopez. The duo beat Romania’s Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau 6–2, 3–6, 6–4 in the final to clinch the top position.

---

The final dance

Rafael Nadal at the 2024 French Open.

The doubles medal remains the last Olympics memory for Rafael Nadal, who did not participate in the Tokyo Games due to scheduling reasons.

In his absence, another Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta played spoilsport for top seed Novak Djokovic after beating him in the bronze medal match. The Serb went down against eventual gold medalist Alexander Zverev in the semifinal.

Circling back to Nadal; the Spaniard is getting ready to return to the Games for one last time in Paris. His protected ranking of No. 9 will help him secure qualification to the sporting extravaganza in the singles discipline.

The likes of Next Gen stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz crowd the draw, which also features Djokovic as he continues his pursuit for that elusive gold. Nadal will also team up with Alcaraz to play doubles.

Nadal’s presence in the already jam-packed field will only add star power to the tournament. Whether he gets his fairy tale finish or not, however, is anyone’s guess.