Rafael Nadal will compete at his fourth Olympic Games in Paris

A day after losing the ATP final in Bastad, the 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal arrived at the Olympic Village in Paris. Nadal will embrace his fourth Olympic Games, two decades after debuting in Athens alongside fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya. The veteran is most likely playing at the Olympic Games for the final time, struggling with injuries and making no long-term plans. Rafa will seek his third Olympic medal at his beloved Roland Garros, entering the singles draw and joining forces with Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles action. The Spaniard clinched the singles gold medal in Beijing 2008, beating Novak Djokovic and Fernando Gonzales for a massive honor, making his historic summer even more historical. Nadal skipped London 2012 and returned in Rio four years later. The Spaniard claimed the doubles gold with Marc Lopez and missed the singles medal following two challenging losses.

Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros 2024© Stream screenshot

Rafa skipped Tokyo three years ago, and Paris stands as a perfect chance for him to achieve a good result, having conquered 14 Major titles on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Nadal is thrilled to defend the national colors again, hoping for a deep run after gaining a boost in Bastad last week. Rafa defeated four rivals and advanced to his first ATP final in over two years, losing it but passing the physical tests. Nadal has played six tournaments this year, reaching the quarter-final in Brisbane before missing all the action until Barcelona. The king of clay entered four of his favorite tournaments, scoring three wins in Madrid but standing miles behind his usual pace on the slowest surface. Rafa fell to Hubert Hurkacz in Rome and drew world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round at Roland Garros. Nadal battled for three hours before hitting the exit door in straight sets, experiencing his earliest defeat in Paris.

Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros 2024© Stream screenshot

Rafael Nadal arrived in Paris ahead of his fourth Olympic tournament.

Zverev denied nine out of 11 break points and turned 45% of the return points into six breaks from 18 opportunities. Alexander claimed the opener with a couple of breaks before Rafa raised his level. The veteran served for the second set at 5-4, only to suffer a break at love. The German claimed the tie break 7-5, building a massive advantage and sealing the deal with a stronger performance in the second part of the third set. The Spaniard skipped the grass swing, staying on clay and practicing in Mallorca and Greece. Nadal returned to action last week in Bastad, entering the ATP 250 event for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2005. Making the final preparation for the Olympic Games, Rafa defeated two rivals for the first time in over two years, booking a place in his 131st ATP final.

Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros 2024© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport

The Spaniard took down Bjorn Borg’s son Leo in the first round and ousted Cameron Norrie in the second, overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the second set for his second quarter-final of the season. Nadal met world no. 36 Mariano Navone and embraced his most challenging duel since returning to action after a hip injury. The veteran prevailed 6-7, 7-5, 7-5 in three hours and 59 minutes, surviving one of the most extended three-setter of his career. Both players created numerous break chances, and the Spaniard prevailed with late return games on his tally in sets two and three, booking a place in his first semi-final since Wimbledon 2022. Rafa faced the first-time semi-finalist Duje Ajdukovic and scored a tight 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, enduring another physical battle and moving into the title clash.

Rafael Nadal, Rome Masters 2024© Mike Hewitt / Staff – Getty Images Sport

There, Nadal played against Nuno Borges with little left in the tank, experiencing a 6-3, 6-2 loss in an hour and 27 minutes and notching his ninth defeat in the ATP clay-court finals. Rafa struggled on serve and return, playing with low energy and feeling the pressure. He scored three breaks and lost 55% of the points in his games, allowing the Portuguese to seize five out of 12 opportunities. Nuno had the upper hand in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, taming his strokes more efficiently and moving over the top in style. Borges saved a break point in the first game of the duel and clinched an early advantage after Nadal’s double fault in game two. The Spaniard pulled the break back in game three and missed a game point in the next one, losing serve for the second time after a forehand error and falling 3-1 behind. Nadal pulled another break back in game five, although he did not have the upper hand in the exchanges.

Rafael Nadal, Rome Masters 2024© Mike Hewitt / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Nuno delivered his third straight break in the sixth game, moving 4-2 in front and holding in the next one with a service winner, forcing Rafa to serve to stay in the set. Nadal held for the first time, extending the battle before Borges wrapped up the opener with a service winner at 5-3, doing everything right en route to his first ATP title. Rafa saved a break point in the first game of the second set, and they served well to level the score at 2-2.

Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros 2024© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Nuno landed a drop shot winner in the fifth game, earning a break chance and squandered it after Rafa’s service winner. Nadal played against the second break point and got broken after a poor drop shot attempt, falling a set and a break down and moving further away from the trophy. The Portuguese cemented the lead with a forehand winner in game six and made another push on the return at 4-2. Nuno fired a forehand winner in the seventh game, securing another break and serving for the title at 5-2. Borges landed a forehand winner for three match points and converted the first with a powerful serve, toppling the king of clay and celebrating his first ATP crown at 27.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times