This weekend, Roland Garros paid tribute to Rafael Nadal, marking his unparalleled legacy at the French Open.
The ceremony, held on Court Philippe-Chatrier, honoured the 14-time champion who retired from professional tennis in November 2024.
The crowd, including players Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, donned ‘Merci Rafa’ shirts. A video montage showcased Nadal’s career highlights. Nadal’s long-time rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murra,y joined him on court. In a pre-recorded message, they stated, “Hi Rafa, after all these years and all these fights, we couldn’t let you leave like that.”
Nadal addressed the audience in French, English, and Spanish, expressing gratitude to the French Tennis Federation, his family, and especially his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal. He reflected on his journey, recalling his debut in 2005 and the challenges he faced. He acknowledged his rivals, stating that their competition pushed him to improve daily.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a plaque featuring Nadal’s footprint, his name, and an image of the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy. The permanent tribute is now located at net height on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Nadal’s record at Roland Garros stands at 112 wins and 4 losses, with titles spanning from 2005 to 2022. His farewell ceremony coincided with the opening day of the 2025 French Open, which runs until the 8th of June.
