Day one of the 2025 French Open saw Arina Sabalenka, Frances Tiafoe and Lorenzo Musetti all shine in their first-round matches, but what truly captivated the crowd was the tribute to their greatest champion, 14-time men’s singles champion Rafael Nadal.
With friends and great rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray nearby, as well as current players Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek in the stands, and other spectators on Court Philippe-Chatrier wearing clay-coloured Merci Rafa T-shirts, the 22-time Grand Slam winner was brought to tears as he watched a video highlighting his legendary career.
For four minutes, the crowd was stunned and silent as they witnessed Nadal’s evolution from a long-haired 19-year-old boy wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and three-quarter pants at his first French Open in 2005 into a senior tennis politician and one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. Throughout his career, the 38-year-old Mallorcan has shown heart, grace and tenacity like no other.
https://x.com/rolandgarros/status/1926673775304593775
When he finally spoke, Nadal thanked the crowd, the fans, his teammates and, of course, Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray, who came out to embrace Rafa. (“We competed as hard as we could… and we’re still good friends,” Nadal said.) But there was one man in particular that Rafa thanked above all others: his uncle Tony, who played a key role in shaping Nadal’s early career.
“Tony,” Nadal began, “you’re the reason I’m here. You made me suffer. You made me smile. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
That Rafa was so emotional throughout the tribute, with tears welling up in his eyes at times, was a testament to who he was. But his greatest emotion came when the people working at Roland-Garros to stage the French Open came out to pay their respects to him. (The French Tennis Federation also honored Rafa in a special way: his footprints were permanently etched into the surface of the stadium.)
Although Nadal was in tears the entire time, he walked out of the stadium with a big smile, waving goodbye for the last time, holding his young son in his arms.