Best tennis moments from Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony ft. Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff
The Paris Olympics 2024 kicked off with an incredible Opening Ceremony that captured the hearts of sports fans. The River Seine and the Eiffel Tower are the main attractions of Paris and the opening ceremony revolved around these two iconic monuments of the French capital.
Despite the presence of rain, the glittering and glamorous event was a major success. It also involved tennis royalty in the form of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams. Here are some of the best moments involving tennis stars at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal was the star of the show during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The Spanish superstar has made Paris his backyard after winning the French Open 14 times at the French capital. The 37-year-old was celebrated during the opening ceremony as he was one of the athletes to carry the Olympic torch along the River Seine.
Nadal was handed over the Olympic torch by soccer icon and French star Zinedine Zidane. The two sporting stars share a great bond and embraced as the torch was exchanged. Then, Nadal carried the torch towards the River Seine where he was met by Serena Williams.
Nadal and Williams were the two tennis superstars present on the boat as they sailed through the historic River Seine as they headed toward the Olympic cauldron. Nadal and Williams were joined by Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci during their journey on the boat.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams was spotted around the Eiffel Tower with her husband Alexis Olympia at the start of the opening ceremony. Alexis was holding an umbrella for Williams before she entered the main stage of the ceremony.
Williams was in the boat along with Rafael Nadal while carrying the Olympic torch to the Olympic cauldron. The American tennis star has won both the singles and the doubles events at the Olympic games and is one of the most successful women's athletes of all time.
Williams and Nadal then handed over the Olympic torch to French former tennis star Amelie Mauresmo, who continued with the torch on its journey towards the cauldron.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is one of the youngest tennis players competing at the Olympic games. The American star became the first tennis player to be the flag-bearer for their country at the Olympic games and the youngest American to do so. Basketball superstar LeBron James joined Gauff as the flag bearer for Team USA at the Olympics.
Team USA was welcomed by a great cheer from the crowd as they arrived in a packed boat sailing over the River Seine. The team will look to add more medals to their name at the Olympic games in Paris. The United States of America has already won the most medals in the history of the Olympics.
Gauff looked happy and couldn't contain her excitement as she proudly waved the American flag. The 20-year-old is competing at her first-ever Olympic games and is already one of the fan-favorites coming into the tournament.