Rafael Nadal is regarded by many as one of the greatest fighters in not just tennis, but in the world of sports. If there is one thing that sets him apart from almost every other competitor, it’s his relentless ability to excel even when not at his full strength. He has had numerous injuries throughout his career and what he lacked in physical strength in those times, Nadal made up for in mental strength.

This was certainly the story of his 2016 Olympic Games campaign, where he came in struggling with injury. Rafael Nadal defied all odds again to win the gold medal in the men’s doubles with Marc Lopez. Nadal’s good friend Lopez threw light on the Spanish superstar’s condition leading up to the event, lauding Nadal’s ability to fight.

When Rafael Nadal defied odds for Olympic gold

“He was coming very tightly. If I remember correctly, he had had a wrist injury and had to give up the mixed,” Lopez said in an interview. “He is a fighter, he gave himself up, left his skin, and was about to win a singles medal, he was fourth, and we won the gold medal in doubles.”

Nadal went into the Olympics in August 2016, not having played a single event since the French Open in May. He had retired from Roland Garros with a wrist injury before the third round. He missed Wimbledon as well, having damaged the tendons in his left wrist.

Leaving the doubles aside, not many expected Nadal to play well in the singles as well at the Rio Games. He almost did the double, but fell short to Kei Nishikori in the singles bronze medal playoff match.

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Marc Lopez lauds ‘fighter’ Nadal

Lopez and Nadal are very good friends off the court. Lopez said that his countryman Nadal is an example to follow both on and off the court. “Living the Olympic Games and as a couple with Rafa, one of my best friends, and an example as a person and a tennis player, I had everything to enjoy,” Lopez said. “Being best friends and achieving something historic is very nice and we did it in Rio.”

Nadal has a gold medal in the singles as well, from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Also read – “He Was Lucky to Have a Great Coach” – Toni Nadal Reveals Why Roger Federer Is Great