Rafael Nadal had another golden moment at the Olympics on Friday night. No matter that it wasn’t in singles this time.
Nadal and Marc Lopez captured the gold medal in men’s doubles at the Rio Olympics by outlasting Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 30 minutes. It marked Nadal’s second time atop the Olympic podium, having previously triumphed in singles eight years ago in Beijing.
A thrilling contest on Friday in Rio saw a red-hot Mergea lead the Romanian duo to a break advantage at 4-3 in the deciding set. But the Spaniards were not going to be denied. Nadal and Lopez broke back for 4-4 and then held for 5-4 to put the pressure on their opponents. With Mergea serving, the Romanians saved one match point before an overhead sent well long by Mergea put an end to the drama.
“It was an amazing experience, especially doing that with one of my best friends, with Marc, it’s something unforgettable for me, for both of us, I think,” Nadal said.
“[Winning] a gold medal today after two months and a half with no practice, with no preparation at all, just working on the gym, is something that is a dream, no? The moment was unbelievable. The only thing that we can say is that we are very, very happy.”
Saturday was not quite as happy for the former world No. 1, but he still put on an amazing show with an adversary who was also running on fumes. Juan Martin Del Potro’s epic run in Rio de Janeiro continued with a 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over Nadal that required more than three hours to be decided.
Del Potro, the 2012 bronze medalist in London, failed to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third set. But he delivered a clutch hold at 5-6 and led from start to finish in the ensuing tiebreaker. Although Nadal saved a match point by getting a mini-break back at 4-6, he sent a forehand wide on the following point to give Del Potro the win.
“I am living like a dream,” the 27-year-old Argentine explained. “My emotions are so high after every match and the crowds make me cry in every match and I would like to say thank you to them.”
“It was a good match, good level of tennis, and all I can say is congratulations to Del Potro,” Nadal commented. “I [tried] my best; I give my best till the last ball…. I am very satisfied by what I did the whole week.”
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Congrats to Rafa and Marc! Well deserved Gold.
But what about Monica Puig!! Gold Medal Puerto Rico 😀
Congrats to Delpo making the Final in Rio and good luck to him today!