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
So happy for Rafa and Marc, and so proud of you both! Rafa, your determination, fighting spirit, incredible skills, and love for your country and the sport, are unmatched. You’re simply the best! Forever your fan. ❤️
Rafa and Marc, many many congratulations, I’m as ecstatically happy as you two must be. The day would be complete with a victory over Del P, but whatever the result your achievement has been fantastic 💕💕
After a Rafa famine, and all the doom and gloom, our cup now runneth over. It was 3.30am before I went to bed, could barely bring myself to watch the 3rd set and then watched it all over again! If Rafa does no more (and he must be knackered) I will be happy. He’s already exceeded all expectations.
magnificent Rafa , i stayed up to watch , well worth it, bravo, Vamos. x
YES – YES – YES! A mega huge congratulation to Rafa and Marc on your victory. What an achievement. So amazing and so deserved. You’re shining along with your gold medals. So happy for you 😄👌🌟🇪🇸😘
All the best of luck at your singels Rafa. You can do it champ 😘
VAMOS! 🎾💪🍀😃🇪🇸
Félicitations à rafa&marc ! Quelle équipe que ces 2 là !! Champions olympiques Rio 2016 en double 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑
vamos Rafa 🙂
Ooh shiny!! Congratulations Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez, totally deserved!
Congrats! What a great moment for Marc and Rafael; a fantastic win after a struggle earlier this year. Good luck in the singles match. Your victorious smile
Says it all! 💃🏻😎🇪🇸👑💪👊👍👏
Sooo sooo happy for Rafa and Marc!! Hope he goes on to get gold for the second time.
Too sad that I can’t watch. Don’t seem to get the channel.
Anyway most important is that he is doing well!!!!
Vamos Rafa!
HE is The best❤️
Congratulation Rafael! It is a very magnificent victory! Incredibly as you play, simply famous! I’ll keep to you the fingers crossed that you also in the singles up to the great victory comes! All the Best for you, and Vamos Rafael ✌🏻
Wonderful win in a fantastic match. Now stay away from del Potro’s forehand. Hope you will get another gold.
Added a gold to his already rich collection! Rafa, you are great!
So happy for Rafa. A dream come true.
Esto es saber luchar contra la adversidad con estilo y alegria. Grande.
Vamos Rafa well done
Dreams really do come true
Congratulations Rafa and Marc, I didn’t see the match,but from everyone’s comments it sounds so exciting.
What an amazing pair of sportsmen you both are Rafa and Marc.
Love and prayers to you both,and to Rafa in the next match,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
What a match! Congratulations to the finest tennis players! Vamos Rafa & Marc!!!!!!!!111