As the curtain comes down on the 2026 Winter Olympics, the spotlight hasn’t just been on medals and podium moments. Even on the final day, the Games are still creating unexpected crossovers between some of the biggest names in sport.
Mikaela Shiffrin has been right at the heart of the action throughout the Olympics, but this time it wasn’t a race result grabbing attention. Instead, it was a social media exchange involving tennis legend Rafael Nadal that sparked intrigue.
Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Rafael Nadal took to X to share an update. He posted a picture of him in ski gear with a caption that said, “After 26 years… what an incredible feeling to ski again!”
Shiffrin replied to the post saying, “Yesssss!! Let’s go skiing!”
Since stepping away from professional tennis, Rafael Nadal has finally had the freedom to enjoy a few things he probably had to avoid during his playing days. One of those? Hitting the ski slopes.
It’s no secret that skiing comes with its fair share of risks, and for someone who spent years managing injuries while competing at the highest level, it makes sense that he kept that hobby on pause for a long time. His recent social media caption hinted that skiing wasn’t exactly part of his routine during his career. Shiffrin on the other hand is fresh off dominant performances at Milan.
Yesssss!! Let’s go skiing!
— Mikaela Shiffrin ⛷️ (@MikaelaShiffrin) February 22, 2026
Mikaela Shiffrin delivered a statement performance in Cortina, storming to Olympic slalom gold with a commanding 1.50-second margin. The 30-year-old posted a combined time of 1:39.10 to secure her third Olympic title, adding to her previous triumphs in Sochi and Pyeongchang. After finishing outside the medals in other events earlier in the Games, Shiffrin saved her best for her signature discipline, attacking both runs with confidence and precision to remind everyone why she remains the most decorated alpine skier in history.