Rafael Nadal added an Olympic gold medal to his collection of tennis accolades by winning the men’s doubles with his close friend Marc Lopez.
The Spanish pair beat Mergea/Tecau 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the final in Rio de Janeiro.
After the match, Rafa said:
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.
Win 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, and we had fun. We fight hard. The only thing that we can say is that we are very, very happy. (via ITF)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images South America)
Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point during the Men’s Doubles Gold medal match against Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea of Romania on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Mark Kolbe/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)
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Final – Men’s Doubles Gold Medal Match – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain and Marc Lopez (ESP) of Spain celebrate after winning their match against Florin Mergea (ROU) of Romania and Horia Tecau (ROU) of Romania. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Victory Ceremony – Men’s Doubles Victory Ceremony – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain and Marc Lopez (ESP) of Spain react after receiving their gold medals. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Victory Ceremony – Men’s Doubles Victory Ceremony – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain and Marc Lopez (ESP) of Spain react after receiving their gold medals. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Victory Ceremony – Men’s Doubles Victory Ceremony – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain and Marc Lopez (ESP) of Spain react after receiving their gold medals. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Victory Ceremony – Men’s Doubles Victory Ceremony – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain poses with his gold medal that he won with Marc Lopez (ESP) of Spain. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Victory Ceremony – Men’s Doubles Victory Ceremony – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain poses with his gold medal that he won with Marc Lopez (ESP) of Spain. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Gold medalists Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain stand on the podium after the Men’s Doubles competition on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Gold medalists Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain stand on the podium after the Men’s Doubles competition on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Gold medalists Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain stand on the podium after the Men’s Doubles competition on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Gold medalists Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal of Spain stand on the podium after the Men’s Doubles competition on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Marc:
Sharing these feelings with Rafa, being together at the Olympic Village, it’s really a dream come true. All the things we’ve done together… I am the happiest man on Earth.
The match began in a surreal manner, with a bat flying around the court. After an official covered the animal with a towel, play started.
With wild plays that saw them hit shots far off the court and high into the air, the Spanish duo took the first set by a decisive 6-2 margin. But roles reversed during the second set, which saw the Romanian team win 6-3. All four players hit crazy shots back-and-forth for long rallies during the third set, which the Spanish team clinched 6-4.
The win marks Rafa’s second Olympic gold medal, following a singles victory at the Beijing 2008 Games.
Congratulations Rafa & Marc!
Sources: NBC, ITF
Congrats rafa and team spain for the gold
very excited to see rafs back with great attitude
Bravo Rafa love you .you are the best .Congrats in your win .love you for ever.i love tennis and I play too .vamosssssssssssssssssssssssssss the best player on the tour.the best. 🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🐀🐀🎾🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍
So proud of you Rafaaaaaa!
It’s a pity that my country didn’t show the medal ceremony. Does anyone have it? Thanks!
Vamos Rafaaaaaa
Wow, I am super stressed. First there was Rafa’s three set victory against thousands of screaming Brazilians and then the incredible doubles final. I was not sure Rafa could pull either of them out, but I should have had more faith. Truly a wonderful day of tennis. Rafa now has 800 individual wins and TWO gold medals.
Félicitation a Rafa et Marc Bravo pour votre pays Rafa je te souhaite l,autre médaille d’or,
Congrats to team Rafa and Marc ! I’m so honoured and happy to be a Rafa fan eleven years now ! He’s the best ! Most exciting player on court ! I’m so sad when he’s not playing and I always look forward to look at his matches makes my day and night ! Good luck tomorrow and hope you can get to the singles finals and grab gold again 😍
Rafa good job don we love you your fans for ever you play so good congrats love you .the best player .you can do it.vamosssssssssssssssssssssssss.
Again.. not a Spanish national.. but THAT WAS STRESSFUL AND EXCITING… You guys are so lucky to have Rafa.. but then we all have him I guess 🙂
Lopez does have a funny game.. Those lobs.. I dont know how Rafa kept his cool. But again it is his buddy and he knows his game.. but i thought he was gesticulating atleast in the second set to Lopez to hit thru the ball in the BH wing. I have not seen Rafa so animated in a LONG time just for winning points. The last i remember seeing him so animated was during the ill-fated ozzie open in 2014 in the game against Dimitrov. Was awesome to see his anger on court back. BIG congratulations to Rafa and Marc and to Spain. Here is hoping Rafa has something left for tomorrow and beyond. Vamos!!
TO SERVE OUT.
It was not nice from your part to make negative comments about Mark. I do love Rafa very much since I am hispanic too. This win was the effort of two players, Mark and Rafa. You are just giving Rafa most of the credit. Thank you.
That was nerve wrenching for sure! It’s never a walk in the park for Rafa, I have to sometimes turn the channel to calm my nerves! But just look…Another GOLD MEDAL for Rafa and I was just happy to see him carry the Spanish flag! Congratulations to the both of them! So Happy although I feel as though I played the match myself… It takes a lot out of you when you are a passionate fan like most on this site!! Just so HAPPY!
Vamos Rafa come on bud we all waiting you can do it again !
!!!!!!Rafa !!!!por la medalla de oro con López
Enviado desde mi iPhone
> El 12/8/2016, a las 19:48, Rafael Nadal Fans escribió: > > >
After this, nobody should have any doubts who is GOAT in professional tennis.
Cannot agree more.. one more OZZIe open and we have a double golden slam winner.. who can beat that
Well Rafa needs another SINGLE gold medal and another Australian Open trophy bite to make it Doubles Career Golden Slam. Rafa would definately be the G.O.A.T no matter what.
I really hope that Rafa can finally achieve it and win his first WTF to complete Career Super Slam like Agassi.
Rafa and Marc were excellente. So happy for them both. After all Rafa has been through the past several months with his wrist injury, this win for him is fantastic. Vamos!!!!!!!
OMG what an amazing match I couldn’t sit still watching it was on the edge of my seat but knew they would win
So much congratulations to Rafa and Marc so pleased for them and they looked absolutely thrilled to win couldn’t keep their smiles of their faces
A great Gold for Spain and for all Rafa fans around the world
But also For Marc too
An amazing winning team
Can’t stop smiling
Now Rafa go for another gold
Good luck in your semi finals 😄😄😄❤️❤️
Congrats Rafa, ur truly d best, no doubt, u always silence d critics. Vamos!!!!!!!
VAMOS RAFA N MARC
VAMOA RAFA N MARC
I did not have any doubt that they will win.Ramos Rafael and Marc.
It suppose to be vamps . Sorry for the misspell.
Are you sure about that?
😀
Wow!!! Congratulations, Marc and Rafa on your glorious achievement of winning Gold!
That third set was certainly a nail-biter but loved Marc’s wonderful lobs and Rafa’s fawless FH groundstrokes. What magic they both produced especially in those crucial moments.
That embrace between best friends was the best moment of the Olympics for me.
Enjoy your celebration with family and friends!
Wow what a great moment for Rafa n Marc!Hearty CONGRATULATIONS to both of you making Spain have the Gold Medal . Praying for your Single match too.
Today was super stressful and emotional. I was screaming into my pillow because I didn’t want to scare my neighbors.
RAFA and Marc gold medalists 2016.
Soooooooo darn happy for these 2 guys.
RAFA fan forever
MAGNIFIQUES BRAVO A TOUS LES 2