Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams star in controversial Paris show – but does tennis fit at the Olympics?

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games was marred by torrential rain in Paris and condemnation by Christian and church leaders over some of the elements of the divisive ‘show’ put together by director Thomas Jolly.

The contentious scene ‘mocking’ the Last Supper has been condemned by the French Bishops’ Conference and Christian church leaders around the world, yet when it came to the promotion of the only agenda that should be promoted at this Olympic Games, the athletes who will be reaching out for gold medals over the next month, tennis players are set to take a prominent role.

The presence of tennis on the Olympic agenda is often a topic of discussion, with the Grand Slam tournaments viewed as more important for a career in this sport than an appearance at the Games.

Yet as Coco Gauff was given the honour of being flag bearer for the USA team alongside basketball star LeBron James, tennis was put centre stage in the opening ceremony.

Casper Ruud was also given a central role as he was the flag bearer for Norway before tennis royalty took centre stage as gold medalists Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams were part of the star-studded show that highlighted their star quality.

Nadal and Williams were on a boat carrying the Olympic torch to its final destination, highlighting their significance to the story of the greatest sporting show of them all.

“I am always happy to be back in this amazing city,” said 2008 Olympic champion Nadal.

“Of course, Roland-Garros is, as everybody knows, this is the most special place in the world of tennis for me. I’m just excited to have the chance to be back here. It’s another opportunity.

“This year I was not able to spend a lot of time at Roland-Garros (first-round loss), so I am enjoying the fact that I am back for the Olympics. The Olympics are completely different to any other event. I’m just trying to enjoy every single moment.”

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Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Andy Murray are among the big names playing at the Olympics, yet there is still a debate over how significant this event is to tennis.

If you asked all the players in the draw whether they would prefer to win Wimbledon or Olympic gold, most would have to admit the golden trophy at the All England Club is more significant to a tennis career than a fleeting moment on a podium in Paris.

Tennis legends are not built around achievements at the Olympic Games, with former world No 1 Andy Roddick suggesting tennis is little more than a novelty experience for athletes who are used to competing for big prize money and ranking points, with neither available at the Olympics.

“There is not a person out there who makes a rational argument, and I have seen it out there, if he doesn’t win that gold medal it changes everything with the conversation. No it doesn’t,” Roddick said on his Served podcast.

“It’s a tournament which happens once every four years on a random surface in a random place that gets wedged in the season.

“I was king of the Olympics at first and convinced myself it was as valuable as a Grand Slam, but it’s just not the same for tennis players.

“When I lost at the Olympics, I went to play at the US Open. That’s how it works for tennis players.”

Andy Murray is among those who offer an alternative view and when he was asked by Laura Robson to highlight his greatest achievement in tennis, he didn’t pick out his three Grand Slam titles.

“Winning the gold medal and obviously the silver (in the mixed doubles with Robson) in London is probably a big highlight,” he said in a Eurosport interview as he picked out his most cherished moment.

“Obviously Wimbledon was amazing but the way I felt that week (in London) meant the most to me.

“I don’t always like it on the court, I do find competing very stressful,” Murray continued. “But that week, I was so happy. I really enjoyed the whole week.

“It is once in a lifetime to compete in an Olympics at home, and you know you’re not going to get that opportunity again. Certainly made the most of it.

“Everything seemed to click that week. I don’t know why that was the case. But I wish I could have played like that more often.”

Tennis will be among the most watched events in the Olympics and the star names involved are among the most celebrated in all of sport, yet the debate will continue over how significant it may be to the wider sport.