Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, revealed that he learned about his participation in the Olympic torch relay at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony just 10 minutes before it began.
“Words cannot express my gratitude to the people of France for this incredible moment. For someone who is not French to have the opportunity to receive the Olympic flame from Zidane at the Eiffel Tower… It is undoubtedly one of the most touching moments in my sporting career. The Olympic Games are a unique event, going beyond tennis; it’s the pinnacle of athletic competition. This recognition is of immense significance to me.”
“I wasn’t aware of the details; I was informed about them only 5-10 minutes before it started. Everything was kept strictly secret. I was waiting for a signal, and when it came, everything was explained to me. While going up the stairs and waiting to receive the torch, I had about two minutes to realize what was happening, and at that moment, I couldn’t hold back tears,” Nadal shared in Andy Roddick’s podcast.
