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Throwback Thursday: Nadal wins gold in 2008 Olympic Games

The Spaniard is still on track to do it all again in Rio.

ByNina Pantic

Published Aug 11, 2016

Eight years ago, a 22-year-old Rafael Nadal made his Olympic Games debutand left Beijing with a singles gold medal. He beat Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and Fernando Gonzalez in the final.

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After missing out on the London Olympic Games in 2012 with an injury, the Spaniard returned in full force in Rio. He was the flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, and is playing in all three events. The 30-year-old beat Gilles Simon on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals, and faces Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci next.

Nadal is guaranteed a medal after he and his partner Marc Lopez beat Canadian's Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4) for a spot in the final.

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The world No. 5 was entered in the mixed event with Garbine Muguruza, but withdraw, giving a walkover to Czech's Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek.