Former tennis participant and document French Open winner Rafael Nadal with Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Britain’s Andy Murray throughout a tribute ceremony at Roland Garros, in Paris, France on Could 25, 2025
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Rafael Nadal was given a rousing reception because the ‘King of Clay’ stepped onto Courtroom Philippe Chatrier for the ultimate time on Sunday (Could 25, 2025) in an “unforgettable” ceremony to have a good time his profession on the French Open.
The 38-year-old, who retired from tennis final November, was serenaded by the Roland Garros crowd, with spectators sporting totally different colored t-shirts to create the message “14 RG, Rafa”.
Nadal dominated the French Open after profitable on debut as a teen in 2005, lifting the trophy a record-breaking 14 occasions.
The Spaniard completed with a exceptional 112-4 win-loss document on the clay-court Grand Slam.
A view of the on-court plaque devoted to Rafael Nadal throughout a ceremony held in his honour on Day One of many 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on Could 25, 2025 in Paris, France.
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He final gained the title in 2022 and performed his ultimate match on the Paris clay final 12 months when he was defeated by Alexander Zverev within the first spherical.
“I don’t know begin… I’ve been enjoying on this court docket for 20 years. I suffered, I gained, I misplaced. I’ve lived many feelings right here on this court docket,” an emotional Nadal informed the gang after watching a video of his profession highlights at Roland Garros.
Nadal’s household and pals watched from the participant’s field, together with lots of his former teaching employees, together with his uncle Toni.
“It has been unforgettable, loads of feelings for a man like me that doesn’t love these type of issues as a result of I’m nonetheless a little bit bit shy for all these items,” Nadal informed reporters.
“I don’t like lots to be the centre of consideration for these items. It was sufficient once I was enjoying tennis. However I loved it, truthfully. I suffered a little bit bit with the feelings, however I loved lots.”
Previous rivals pay tribute
Nadal’s long-time rivals Novak Djokovic, contemporary from profitable his a hundredth ATP title on Saturday, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all joined him on the primary Chatrier court docket.
The trio walked out after Nadal’s speech to greet their fellow former world primary, to a deafening roar from the followers.
“To have my three greatest rivals there on the court docket with me meant lots,” Nadal mentioned of the opposite members of the ‘Massive 4’.
“On the similar time, it’s an ideal message for the world, I believe, that greatest rivals, the hardest rivals most likely within the historical past of our sport are in a position to be good colleagues, to respect one another.
Rafael Nadal and his son Rafael Nadal Junior throughout the tribute ceremony
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Reuters
“You don’t have to hate the opponent to attempt to beat him with all of your drive. And that’s the message that I believe we confirmed individuals, we confirmed the brand new generations, and in a roundabout way that’s our legacy.”
Nadal hung up his racquet following the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, initially denying him a possibility to wave goodbye to his adoring followers in Paris.
His tally of 14 victories at a single Grand Slam seems unlikely to be crushed, with Margaret Courtroom’s 11 Australian Open titles second on the all-time checklist.
Nadal was offered with a particular trophy commemorating his French Open document, with a mark of his footprint carved into the clay.
“I didn’t know something in regards to the ceremony,” Nadal mentioned.
Rafael Nadal poses with a commemorative plaque together with match director Amelie Mauresmo and president of the FFT, Gilles Moretton throughout his tribute ceremony
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Reuters
“Solely factor that I knew earlier than going there was going to be video once I go on, then gonna be my speech, after which gonna be a few surprises.
“Then once I see that, I assumed it was going to be only for this 12 months. Understanding that’s going to be endlessly there, it’s a gift that I can’t describe in phrases.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion acquired a send-off after his ultimate match on the Davis Cup, however French tennis federation chief Gilles Moretton mentioned earlier this 12 months that “the tribute was not, in my view, what it ought to have been”.
He mentioned he had gone to go to Nadal at his dwelling in December together with Roland Garros match director Amelie Mauresmo to debate plans for Sunday’s ceremony.
Revealed – Could 26, 2025 12:31 pm IST