Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams Help Light Cauldron to Open Paris Olympics

Madison Williams | Jul 26, 2024

Carl Lewis, Rafael Nadal, Nadia Comaneci and Serena Williams travel with the Olympic Flame down the Seine River at the 2024 Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony. / Olympics/Screengrab

The opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics was full of memorable and astonishing scenes as France put on quite a show on the Seine River.

Just when fans thought the Olympics were about to officially commence, some special guests popped up to transfer the Olympic Flame along the Seine River: Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal and American tennis legend Serena Williams.

Fans couldn't believe that two of the most famous tennis players of all time were included in this iconic moment, especially since both Nadal and Williams aren't French. The other athletes highlighted in the passing of the Olympic Flame seemed to all be notable French athletes.

Nadal and Williams then got into a boat while the Spaniard carried the torch down the Seine River.

Rafael Nadal raises the Olympic Flame into the Parisian night sky. 🔥

The Olympic Torch Relay is almost complete. #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/XTHObVtImm

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024

🔥 The final torchbearers are advancing towards the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron… @RafaelNadal @serenawilliams @Carl_Lewis @nadiacomaneci10

If you’re not already tuning in, watch the lighting moment live right here:
🔗 https://t.co/anzmcQH57U #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/KFtTXHtOY8

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024

Even though Nadal is from Spain, the French have somewhat adopted him as their own since he's won a record 14 French Opens. He's likely to retire from the sport soon, and this is expected to be his final Olympics, so it's fitting the Olympics would want to honor him in this way.

Williams won the French Open three times in her tennis career, but also captured four Olympic gold medals. She is arguably the most famous women's tennis player of all time.