Internet Desk: It was Spanish gold for Rafael Nadal in Rio Friday as he claimed Olympic tennis doubles victory alongside playing partner Marc Lopez.
Nadal has struggled with injury and form all year, but he also qualified for the semifinals of the men’s singles event earlier in the day.
He and Lopez eventually wore down Romania’s Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau, prevailing 6-2 3-6 6-4 in an exhausting final that lasted close to two and a half hours.
It was Nadal’s second success at an Olympics, having also won gold in the singles at the 2008 Beijing Games.
The 14-time grand slam winner, who missed the London 2012 through injury, was visibly ecstatic on court Friday when celebrating alongside Lopez.