In Pictures: Rafael Nadal's transformation at the Olympics from teenager in Athens 2004 to final campaign in Paris 2024
Rafael Nadal is a two-time Olympic gold medallist. Over the past two decades, the Spaniard has represented his nation in three Olympic Games and he will do so again for the last time in Paris this year.
Nadal first participated in the Games in 2004 in Athens as a teenager. He participated in the doubles event alongside Carlos Moya. The Spanish pair faced defeat against the Brazilian pair of Andre Rezende Sa and Flavio Saretta in the first round.
Nadal, who won his maiden ATP Tour title in 2004, improved tremendously in the next four years within which he won multiple Grand Slam titles.
At his second Olympics appearance in 2008 in Beijing, he clinched the singles Gold medal and earned the World No. 1 spot for the first time in his career.
Nadal could not participate in the 2012 Olympics in London as he had to withdraw owing to tendinitis in his knee. The Spaniard withdrew from subsequent tournaments as well.
He took part in the 2016 Rio Olympics in the singles and doubles events. In the singles event, he lost in the semifinal against Argentina's Juan MartÃn del Potro. In the bronze medal match, Japan's Kei Nishikori denied the Spaniard a podium finish.
However, Nadal won another Olympic gold medal after he won the men's doubles event along with partner Marc Lopez.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist withdrew from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo citing scheduling reasons. However, he has worked hard and played in several clay court tournaments in 2024 to come well prepared for the Paris Olympics that will be played on the Roland Garros grounds.
Here are a few pictures that capture the transformation of Nadal from his first Olympics in Athens to his final one in Paris.
Rafael Nadal arrives at the Paris 2024 Olympics village, reunites with teammate Carlos Alcaraz
Rafael Nadal completed a successful clay court tournament in Bastad this past week. He finished as runner-up at the Nordea Open after reaching his first final in over two years. The Spaniard lost to Portuguese Nuno Borges in straight sets as the latter clinched his maiden ATP Tour title.
The 38-year-old arrived at the 2024 Paris Olympics village and posed for pictures with fellow athletes, Argentine field hockey player Lucas Toscani and Uruguayan rugby player Guillermo Lijtenstein.
Moreover, the 22-time Grand Slam winner was reunited with teammate Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal will partner the Wimbledon champion in the doubles event at the Paris Olympics. The pair will also represent Spain in the singles event.