Dutch doubles star Demi Schuurs recently shared a delightful story about how she got her hands on Rafael Nadal’s t-shirt during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Schuurs, who competed in mixed doubles alongside Wesley Koolhof, reached the semifinals but missed out on a medal after losing the bronze match to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski.
Taking to Instagram, Schuurs posted a picture with Nadal, proudly holding his Spain jersey. In a video, she recounted the story behind acquiring the legendary player’s t-shirt, a moment she had longed for. She revealed that she had told her parents about her wish to get a picture with Nadal and to have his t-shirt as a cherished memento.
“The way I got Rafa’s t-shirt is actually quite funny,” Schuurs explained. “I was at the Olympics in Paris, and my parents were there, so I told them during the week, ‘Hey, I think I need to get a picture with Rafa—he’s such a legend. I really want to have his t-shirt, specifically his red one. It’s a must.’”
Schuurs described how she seized the opportunity after Nadal’s match against Dutch players Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof. She recalled that Nadal was with his family in an empty Suzanne Lenglen Stadium when he took off his t-shirt. That’s when she bravely approached him.
“The Spanish guys played doubles against the Dutch guys, and after that match, Rafa was in the Suzanne Lenglen, and nobody was there. He was with his family, and at one point, he took his t-shirt off. As he passed by, he said, ‘Hey, congrats,’ and I asked him, ‘Are you going to keep that t-shirt?’ He responded, ‘Do you want it?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, that would be nice.’”
Though initially shy about asking for a photo, Schuurs eventually overcame her hesitation. “After I got the t-shirt, I thought, ‘No, I can’t ask for a picture—I don’t want to seem like a stalker. I’m too shy.’ But I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and asked him for a picture,” she admitted.
Reflecting on the experience, Schuurs expressed her happiness at finally meeting Nadal and securing both the t-shirt and a photograph. “I was the happiest person at that moment,” she shared. “I think that picture got the most likes on my Instagram. It’s something I’ll treasure forever, and now the t-shirt has a special place at home, along with the picture, so it’s complete.”
View this post on Instagram
