Rafael Nadal received an emotional and thunderous send-off as he stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier for the final time on May 25, during a special ceremony honouring his legendary career at the French Open. The 38-year-old, who retired from professional tennis in November, was met with a standing ovation and heartfelt cheers from the Roland Garros crowd.
Spectators filled the stadium wearing orange shirts emblazoned with the words ‘Merci Rafa’ (Thank you, Rafa), while others formed a colourful mosaic spelling out ’14 RG, Rafa’ – a tribute to his unprecedented 14 French Open titles. As Nadal walked onto the red clay one last time, applause rang out, and the tennis icon, visibly moved, had tears in his eyes.
“I don’t know where to start after playing on this court for the past 20 years,” Nadal said during his emotional speech. “Winning, losing, but especially being moved every time I have had the chance to be here.”
Nadal’s reign at Roland Garros is unmatched. Since winning the tournament on his debut as a teenager in 2005, he has compiled a staggering 112-4 record, dominating the clay like no other. He claimed the title in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 – and on four of those occasions (2008, 2010, 2017, 2020), he didn’t drop a single set.
To commemorate his legacy, tournament officials unveiled a permanent plaque on Court Philippe Chatrier, engraved with the years of his 14 triumphs and his footprint – a lasting symbol of the indelible mark he left on Roland Garros. It was unveiled near the end of the event by French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton and French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo.
“Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris,” Nadal said with deep emotion. “You have given me emotions and moments I could never have imagined…You made me feel like a Frenchman.”
Joining Nadal in this historic moment were his greatest rivals and longtime friends – Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The Big Four stood united on the court, no longer as fierce competitors, but as icons of the sport and companions in legacy.
It was a farewell fitting for the ‘King of Clay’ -a champion whose name will forever be etched in the soul of Roland Garros.
