The 2020 Tokyo Olympics continues to entertain sports lovers all across the globe. Tennis fans, in particular, have enjoyed some spectacular encounters as the best in business have gone head to head in their quest for gold. So far, the tournament has seen some major upsets, surprise defeats, and incredible strength and character. However, as medals come closer, fans were reminded of former Olympic medalists who missed out this year; Notably, the great Rafael Nadal.
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Earlier this year, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, following a semifinal loss at the French Open. He also pulled out of the 2021 Wimbledon championship, furthermore breaking hearts. However, courtesy of his legacy, he continues to be at the heart of the action, even when away. In a newly emerged video, young tennis athletes picked their favorite star who has what it takes to be a weightlifter. Given Rafa’s strength, it was no surprise he was winning this epic crossover.
Unbelievable strength
Both Alex De Minaur and Dan Evans picked Rafael’s massive biceps to get the job done at Tokyo. However, given Rafa’s core strength and the force with which he drives those backhands, it was only fair.
Next up in our #Olympics x #Tennis series…
Who would be your ATP weightlifter? 🏋🏻♀️😆#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/FOy1Y9B8Rw
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 29, 2021
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marton Fucsovics, and Feliciano Lopez joined Rafa in the favorites for a career shift. Notably, Andrey Rublev was one of the two who picked Marton. When the two met at the 2021 Wimbledon Championship, Marton played some of his best tennis ever and beat Rublev in fashionable style. Hence, it is safe to say, Andrey was speaking from experience.
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Rafael Nadal returns to court
Soon now, Rafa will appear for the first time at the 2021 Citi Open in Washington. The surrounding hype is beyond measure, as they prepare to host the Spaniard. Everyone wants to witness the former World No. 1 in action. Speaking of his fandom, the Citi Open chairman said, “It is indescribable.”?
“The whole town is buzzing, our community is buzzing. Tickets have been sold out the minute they went on sale. The extra that we could put on sale, went on sale. And we have a waiting list of 15,000 people who want to come. I think that’s indicative of the amount of interest there is in seeing this great icon of our game in Washington for the first time,” he added.
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Rafael will begin his campaign at Washington. He will also aim for a record 21st Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, achieving this unbelievable feat will be far from easy as a certain Novak Djokovic, has eyes set on a Calendar-Grand slam.
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