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PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Amelie Mauresmo carry Olympic torch at Opening Ceremony

Friday evening in Paris was lit with a powerful tennis presence.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Jul 26, 2024

Tennis is ALIVE!

France has always been proud of its rich connection to the sport, and that was on full display Friday evening at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

After the parade of nations wrapped, which included Coco Gauff, Elina Svitolina, Nicolas Jarry and Danka Kovinic serving as flagbearers for their respective nations, tennis was supremely represented when it came time to bring in the Olympic torch. Take a look at what went down at the Trocadero and along the Seine:

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Surprise! Zinedine Zidane passed the torch to none other than Rafael Nadal.

Surprise! Zinedine Zidane passed the torch to none other than Rafael Nadal.

© Getty Images

Nadal is making his fourth Olympic appearance (2004, 2008, 2016) and is a two-time gold medalist (2008 singles, 2016 doubles).

Nadal is making his fourth Olympic appearance (2004, 2008, 2016) and is a two-time gold medalist (2008 singles, 2016 doubles).

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Rafa wasn't the only tennis superstar to emerge at the end of the ceremony, as Serena Williams joined the Spaniard alongside fellow icons Nadia Comaneci and Carl Lewis.

Rafa wasn't the only tennis superstar to emerge at the end of the ceremony, as Serena Williams joined the Spaniard alongside fellow icons Nadia Comaneci and Carl Lewis.

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If you thought that was the end of the tennis connection, think again. Out came two-time Grand Slam champion, Roland Garros tournament director and French hero Amelie Mauresmo to receive the flame from Nadal.

If you thought that was the end of the tennis connection, think again. Out came two-time Grand Slam champion, Roland Garros tournament director and French hero Amelie Mauresmo to receive the flame from Nadal.

© AFP or licensors

Sharing a beautiful moment with former rival Serena.

Sharing a beautiful moment with former rival Serena.

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Basketball legend Tony Parker took it from there.

Basketball legend Tony Parker took it from there.

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