Rafael Nadal’s Olympic Games record – as he sets sights on Paris 2024

Oli Dickson Jefford
Rafael Nadal Beijing 2008
Rafael Nadal won singles gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

Have we seen the last of Rafael Nadal at the French Open?

The 14-time Roland Garros champion is yet to fully commit either way, but it seems more than possible his loss to Alexander Zverev was his final match at the event.

However, it might not be the last time he plays on-site at Roland Garros.

The Spaniard is targeting an Olympic Games spot this summer, with the tennis event at Paris 2024 being held at the same venue where he holds a staggering 112-4 record.

As he targets more Olympic success, we look back at Nadal’s extraordinary record at the Games.

Singles

Nadal did not play singles at his first Olympics in Athens 20 years ago, focusing on doubles.

But the Spaniard won gold on his singles debut at the following Games, winning the title at Beijing 2008.

Second seed at the event – and fresh off consecutive French Open and Wimbledon wins – Nadal eased into the last four, where he beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to guarantee a medal.

And he claimed the first gold medal of his career in the final, downing Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3 to seal victory.

Struggling with injury, Nadal was forced to pull out of his title defence at London 2012 – though returned to action at the Rio 2016 Games.

Third seed at the Games, Nadal ended the charge of home favourite Thomaz Bellucci in the last eight, though was beaten 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5) by Juan Martin del Potro in an epic semi-final.

In a bronze medal playoff shrouded in controversy – with opponent Kei Nishikori taking a lengthy break after the second set – he was beaten by 6-2, 6-7(1), 6-3 as he was forced to settle for fourth.

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Doubles

Nadal was just 18 when making his Olympic debut in Athens, playing doubles alongside now-coach Carlos Moya – though the duo lost in straight sets to Brazil’s Andre Sa and Flavio Saretta.

Four years later, Nadal was the sixth seed in the doubles draw alongside Tommy Robredo, though this campaign was only marginally better than his previous tilt at doubles glory.

They beat Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman and Robin Soderling in round one but were then beaten by Australian duo Christopher Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt.

Fast forward eight years, and it was an entirely different story.

Seeded sixth alongside frequent partner Marc Lopez, Nadal eased through to the last four – where he and Lopez beat Canada’s Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil in two tiebreaks to reach the gold medal match.

And the Spaniard memorably claimed the second Olympic gold of his legendary career, battling past Romanian fifth seeds Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Nadal was meant to play mixed doubles alongside Garbine Muguruza in Rio, but the duo withdrew pre-tournament.

Paris ambitions

After skipping Tokyo 2020 due to injury, Nadal will be looking for a strong Olympic farewell in Paris this summer – potentially making his last Roland Garros appearance.

Nadal’s comments after his French Open loss send an Olympic-sized statement of intent, as it appears he will skip Wimbledon to prioritize the Games.

Currently ranked 275th, the 22-time Slam winner is well outside the Olympic entry list cutoff.

But he is an obvious pick for one of the two Wildcard spots saved for Grand Slam winners, and – should his body be willing – he looks set to play.

And all eyes will be on whether he plays doubles as well, with himself and Carlos Alcaraz publicly expressing interest in a blockbuster partnership between the two.

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