Rafael Nadal Honored at French Open Farewell Ceremony

PARIS: In an emotional send-off, Rafael Nadal was celebrated at the French Open on Sunday. Tournament officials paid tribute to the ‘King of Clay’ with a special ceremony at Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 38-year-old, who concluded his professional tennis career in November 2024, was recognized before a crowd sporting T-shirts that read “14 RG, Rafa,” marking his record 14 Roland Garros titles.

Nadal’s record at the French Open includes 112 victories and only four defeats. His final appearance was in 2024 against Alexander Zverev, where he was defeated in the first round.

Following a montage of his greatest tournament moments on the big screen, Nadal expressed his feelings to the audience.

Nadal’s Words

“It’s difficult to express in words… I’ve competed on this court for two decades. I’ve known joy, defeat, and suffering—so many different emotions.”

The 22-time Grand Slam champion reminisced about his experiences at the French Open while addressing the crowd.

“This court is undoubtedly the most significant in my career,” Nadal stated.

“My journey here started in 2004 when I was barely able to walk due to a foot injury. I stood at the top of the stadium, looked down at the court, and dreamed of playing here.”

The ceremony gained additional significance due to the presence of his esteemed rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, who offered heartfelt tributes to Nadal in Paris.

Nadal addressed the trio, reflecting on their rivalries and noting that while there was always pressure and intensity on the court, his perspective has evolved since retiring.

“All those years of intense competition… It’s amazing how time can alter things,” he remarked.

“There was constant tension among us, but it remained respectful. We pushed each other to improve, which helped us develop. It means so much to me that you are all here.”

Following Nadal’s retirement in 2024, a modest ceremony occurred at the Davis Cup Finals in October of the previous year, but it didn’t satisfy fans and legends.

The French Open also approached Nadal last year, but he was uncertain about his retirement plans at the time. However, this year, the Spaniard accepted the tribute.