Rafael Nadal received a deeply emotional farewell at Roland Garros as French Open organizers celebrated his legendary career with a heartfelt tribute and a permanent mark on the court. Exactly twenty years after making his debut at the iconic stadium, Nadal returned not in his usual headband and capris but in a suit, standing in front of a packed Philippe Chatrier stadium filled with fans wearing special Merci Rafa shirts distributed to all ticket holders on May 25.
The ceremony featured a touching four-minute video montage highlighting Nadal’s achievements at the French Open, bringing the 38-year-old tennis icon to tears. But the most powerful moment of the evening came when Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray joined him on court. The former members of the “Big Four” walked out after Nadal’s speech to embrace their long-time rival and friend, receiving a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Novak Djokovic, fresh off his 100th career title win at the Geneva Open, joined Federer and Murray in sharing heartfelt moments with Nadal, exchanging private words and warm hugs. “After all these years of competition and rivalry, it’s amazing how your perspective changes,” Nadal said during the ceremony. “We fought hard, but we always respected each other, and that respect turned into something deeper over time.”
Tennis stars of the current generation, including Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, stood among the crowd wearing the same tribute shirts, showing how Nadal’s influence spans across generations.
The most emotional highlight came at the end when Roland Garros unveiled its ultimate tribute — Rafael Nadal’s footprint permanently embedded into the clay of Court Philippe Chatrier. This lasting symbol recognizes his unparalleled dominance at the French Open, where he holds a record of 114 wins and just 3 losses, including a perfect 14-0 in finals.
“I thought it was just for the day or for this year’s tournament,” Nadal shared in a post-ceremony interview. “But when they said it would stay forever, I couldn’t hold back my emotions.”
Nadal’s final match at the French Open was in 2024, where he fell to Alexander Zverev in the opening round, but his legacy at Roland Garros is cemented for eternity — both in achievements and now in the very ground he once ruled.
