Rafael Nadal and buddy Marc Lopez are assured of at least a silver medal at the Olympics. They defeated Canadian pair Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil 7-6(1), 7-6(4) in the semifinals of the men’s doubles in Rio de Janeiro earlier today. When Rafa sat on the sideline bench, he planted a kiss atop Marc’s head. Then Rafa appeared to begin crying, and Marc threw an arm around his shoulders.
After the match, Rafa said:
I’m very happy, extremely excited and [to] enjoy this moment here in the Olympics, especially with one of my best friends, with Marc, is something unforgettable.
We are extremely happy, with high emotions on court, lots of nerves, we really enjoy it a lot. Just a moment to enjoy because we have a silver and now try and be ready for tomorrow. (via ITF)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate victory in their men’s doubles semifinal against Daniel Nestor of Canada and Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal, right, and Marc Lopez, of Spain, celebrate after defeating Canada in their men’s doubles match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Photo via ITF
Their opponents in the doubles final will be fifth-seeded Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau, who defeated Americans Steve Johnson and Jack Sock 6-3, 7-5.
UPDATED: Rafa and Garbine Muguruza have withdrawn from the mixed doubles at Rio 2016.
VAMOS RAFA!
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well done,for your country rafa l watched you match in hotel in mallorca so good,will be home to watch you in cincinnati best of luck from lsle of man.
Rafa Gon
Rafa good job don .you are the best Congrats .🎾🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎾🎾🎾🎾
Love when rafa gets emotional I do too! Vamos
Such joy, happiness and empathy between these friends. lovely and refreshing to see. Vamos Rafael and Marc
So happy for you n Mark. I’m speechless with joy. Praying to see you win 2 GOLD Rafa. I may not be alive for next Olympics! Vamos boys. God bless. Lots of love from your Aussie Abuela. 🏆🏆👑👑 🎉🎊💥🎈🎈😀😊😇
Why won’t you be alive for the next Olympics Shirley?If you’re 80 yrs and above and you’d love to go and rest…. Otherwise don’t even think of it. Speak no death no matter what.
I absolutely am loving the pictures of Rafa and Marc , just wish it had been televised . It’s so lovely to see this side of Rafa with his best friend Marc , and those smiles I wouldn’t be surprised if they were snapped up to do a toothpaste and ,( ha ha )
I don’t know about England ….but in the states tennis is not even given a slot on the offical Olympic channel NBC, I finally found it on Bravo which is a cable channel. Not even one word or commerical about tennis! However I’m used to this as tennis is the least favorite sport in the USA…Football, baseball, golf all take priority over tennis. I have the tennis channel but they are not covering any of the Olympics. It is very disappointing because Rafa is making history as well and I want him to have the recognition he deserves. Rafa and Marc were nothing less than elated…like you said their smiles would make a great toothpaste commerical! VAMOS RAFA & MARC!
Rafa and Marc what a duo you both are.
A credit to yourselves and your families and of course your country.
Love you both for your fighting spirits.
All the best for next games,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Holly Mole ….If Rafa and Marc win Gold, Marc better go hide….Rafa might throw him into the sky … That is what you call passion! Soooo happy for the both of them and all of us here ! VAMOS Rafa N Marc !
I am so relieved Rafa”s team withdrew. I think it was exhaustion, not an injury. Radek would have run them ragged. Rafa probably entered not dreaming he would still be in doubles and singles. I am thrilled that they are guaranteed at least a silver. Rafa was even more excited than Marc. It was wonderful to see!
I’M SOOOOOO HAPPY!!! RAFA, KEEP IT GOING!!! VAMOS!!!!
Quelle magnifique équipe que ce duo rafa/Marc ! Vamos rafa and marc👍👍☝continuez à nous faire rêver 👏👏👏bonne chance pour la suite❤❤