Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, shared that he learned about his role in the Olympic torch relay for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony just 10 minutes before it commenced.
In a podcast with Andy Roddick, Nadal expressed profound gratitude to the French people for this unforgettable experience. “Words can’t fully express my appreciation to France for such an incredible moment. For someone who isn’t French, having the honor to receive the Olympic flame from Zidane near the Eiffel Tower… it’s undoubtedly one of the most moving moments in my sporting life. The Olympics are truly unique, transcending tennis; it’s the pinnacle of athletic competition. This recognition means the world to me.”
Nadal further explained the secrecy surrounding the event: “I wasn’t aware of the specifics until literally 5 to 10 minutes beforehand. Everything was kept strictly confidential. I was waiting for a signal, and when it came, everything was explained to me. As I walked up the stairs, anticipating receiving the torch, I had about two minutes to fully grasp what was happening, and in that moment, I couldn’t hold back tears,” Nadal confessed.
