Tennis legend Raphael Nadal leads chorus of support for Lindsey Vonn following Milano Cortina 2026 crash

Messages of support poured in for Team USA three-time Olympic medallist Lindsey Vonn following her horrific crash in the women’s downhill at Milano Cortina 2026 on Sunday, 8 February.

Retired tennis superstar Rafael Nadal and Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), were among the chorus of well-wishers.

The legendary Alpine skier made her Olympic Winter Games return in the downhill just nine days after an anterior cruciate ligament rupture from a crash at the Crans-Montana World Cup.

Vonn refused to give up on her Olympic dream and made it to the starting gate after completing training runs of the Tofane course. Hope and defiance made way for despair when she crashed before being airlifted off course.

Nadal, a close friend of Vonn's, sent her a message of encouragement on social media: “You are a great inspiration and an example of perseverance. Stay strong and get well soon!”

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said, "Dear Lindsey, we're all thinking of you. You are an incredible inspiration, and you will always be an Olympic champion."

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