PARIS/WASHINGTON, May 26, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
As the 58th edition of the French Open in the Open Era began at Stade Roland-Garros Sunday, at long last, Rafael Nadal received a proper – and unforgettable – afternoon send off in Paris. It began with an introduction by Marc Maury, the longtime voice of Roland-Garros, who introduced Nadal by reading off the years of each of the 14 French Open titles he won. It also included a poignant video tribute for the King of Clay, complete with his signature trophy lifts, and concluded with some very special guests.
“Good evening, everyone, this is difficult for me,” said an emotional Nadal, 14-time Roland-Garros champion, as he fought back tears in his eyes while he read from his prepared remarks. “I don’t know how to start after having played on this court during the past 20 years. To have enjoyed, suffered, won, lost… Above all, [I’m] emotional that I had the chance to play here.
“My infinite gratitude to Gilles [Moretton], Amelie [Mauresmo] and the entire Roland-Garros team for giving me the opportunity to have this farewell on without a doubt the most important tennis court in my career.”
The King of Clay lives on for over on Court Philippe-Chatrier ✨#RolandGarros
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
Nadal, now 38, also received a permanent place in the famed terre battue, courtesy of the president of the French Tennis Federation, Gilles Moretton, and Roland-Garros tournament director Amélie Mauresmo. Near the end of the ceremony, he received a welcome from the other three members of the legendary “Big Four,” an exclusive club of greats Nadal competed against that included Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
“I experienced everything over these 20 years. I have had incredible rivals — like Andy, Novak and of course Roger — and many others who pushed me to my physical and mental limits,” Nadal said. “Truly nothing would be as thrilling without these long-lasting rivalries that have driven all of us to improve every single day. Roland-Garros is unique. Not only because it is a fundamental part of history but for all the people who work tirelessly, with a smile, to make this tournament what it is, unique.”
The greatest ever to grace our clay.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5np4tHMdZk
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
By the end of the special ceremony for Nadal on Court Philippe-Chatrier, witnessed in person by many, including his parents, his wife and son, his coaches, Uncle Toni Nadal and Carlos Moya, French tennis great Yannick Noah, and members of today’s tennis royalty – Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek – there wasn’t a dry eye among anyone.
Nadal, who as a teenager began his love affair with clay – and specifically with Roland-Garros – went 42-6 against the modern French Musketeers Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gaël Monfils. The Spaniard made quite a name of himself in Paris, starting in 2005 with the first of his 14 major titles at the French Open. While he may not have been cheered as passionately by the French as they did for Federer, in time he became a beloved figure at Roland-Garros, who went on to shatter the record for most career French Open titles won with 14. His last one came in 2022 – and the fans were accepting, if not forgiving, of what Nadal had achieved.
Goosebumps #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/UnKw53guBc
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
On Sunday, all was forgiven and Nadal, dressed in black business casual attire, was applauded passionately from the time he walked out on court, through his remarks to the crowd delivered in French, England and Spanish, and, finally, when Nadal was welcomed by Federer, Djokovic and Murray as friends and supporters – not as competitors. There was a friendly and collegial appreciation between this quartet of peers.
“After all these years fighting for everything it’s unbelievable how the time changes perspective of everything,” Nadal said, smiling while addressing the other members of “The Big Four.”
“You don’t know yet Novak. Probably you know already Andy. With Roger, we have talked about it a couple times. All of the nerves, pressure, strange feelings you feel when we see each other when we are rivals. It’s completely different when you finish your career. At the end, now, it’s all about being happy about everything that we achieved. At the end, all of us achieved our dreams.”
What a picture…#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/dDYDFahVdl
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
The 15,000 lucky fans who filled the stands of Court Philippe-Chatrier were given red clay-colored T-shirts with the words “Merci Rafa” and the date “25.05.2025” printed on them. It made for a lovely sight throughout the 48-minute televised ceremony.
Last year, after Nadal, whose ranking had plummeted to No. 276, lost in the first round to eventual finalist Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3, it was felt that his simple handshake and wave to the crowd just wasn’t enough. Now that he’s officially retired from pro tennis, the time was right to salute Nadal for all he’s given to the sport – especially to Roland-Garros, where he compiled a lifetime 112-4 win-loss record.
Sure, the statue of Nadal inside the main entrance to Stade Roland-Garros by Spanish sculptor Jordi Díez Fernández gives some degree of permanence for the King of Clay to be remembered by in Paris. Yet, on Sunday, following the completion of the day session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Nadal was received and left the court the way he was intended to leave it: to a standing ovation from his fans, and in front of his family and friends – and with one last victory lap around Court Philippe-Chatrier, the site of 14 of his greatest victories in tennis history. He was the center of attention – and deservedly s0.
Best of all, Nadal walked slowly – soaking in the applause and the admiration at his own pace – and with his young son, Rafa Jr., in his arms. Both of them smiled and waved.
Now THAT was how you say goodbye to a tournament you’ve won 14 times.
Well done #rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/KPcxWwEJXL
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) May 25, 2025
