Osaka lights Olympic cauldron in Tokyo, three women’s tennis players bear their country’s flags

WTA players Petra Kvitova, Jelena Ostapenko and Veronika Cepede Royg had the honor of being flag bearers for their countries during Friday’s opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while Naomi Osaka was the star of the evening as the athlete chosen to light the Olympic cauldron.

Words can’t describe this feeling. I have always been so incredibly proud to wear the flag of my country and this moment tops it all. I will remember it forever. My mask can never cover the huge smile on my face. Thank you for sharing this moment with me ❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/anANBUo4Au

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) July 23, 2021

Petra Kvitova, who was bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, carried the flag for Team Czech Republic!

Words can’t describe this feeling. I have always been so incredibly proud to wear the flag of my country and this moment tops it all. I will remember it forever. My mask can never cover the huge smile on my face. Thank you for sharing this moment with me.

Petra Kvitova, the FLAG BEARER!! @Petra_Kvitova pic.twitter.com/caNSYpfdOI

— ‎‎‎‎‎ . (@Ashish__TV) July 23, 2021

The female flag bearer for Paraguay was world No.217 Veronica Cepede Royg.

???????? @verocepede ????????

Walking into the #Olympics like…#Tennis | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/34VazIFfbJ

— ITF (@ITFTennis) July 23, 2021

Latvians were in disco mood. The 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was leading athletes from her country during the Parade of Nations within the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

Jelena Ostapenko and her metallic dress, we are not worthy #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/AMCQ6c5DCz

— Nikhila (@kokudum) July 23, 2021

Tennis had a historic moment at the Tokyo Olympics, as Japan’s WTA player Naomi Osaka was the first tennis player chosen to light the Olympic cauldron. The big ceremony ended with Osaka as the final Olympic flame torchbearer.

Wow pic.twitter.com/mUAERTN3dS

— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) July 23, 2021

Iconic.

???????? Naomi Osaka lights the flame for #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/fPa54K7onx

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 23, 2021