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The undisputed emperor of the clay court, Nadal, was felicitated at the RG, where he holds an astounding 112-4 win-loss record in a tribute befitting his legendary stature.
Rafa Nadal blows a kiss during a farewell ceremony at center court Philippe-Chatrier, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Sunday May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal was feted at the Roland Garros on Sunday in a ceremony to celebrate the legacy of the 14-time French Open Champion and was joined by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
The Spaniard, who boasts an astounding record of 112-4 at the RG was given a tribute befitting his stature as the undisputed emperor of the clay court. He was joined by the traditional top-4 of modern tennis as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray walked out to hug the Spaniard in a touching moment.
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Nadal returned to Court Philippe Chatrier a year after being ousted from the clay-court major in the first round by German Alexander Zverev in what proved to be his final French Open, before Nadal called time on his career following the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Nadal’s tally of 14 victories in Paris stands alone in the count of multiple titles at a single Grand Slam event, with Margaret Court’s 11 Australian Open triumphs the closest behind the Spaniard’s record in France.
Rafa Nadal’s footprint will stay on Court Philippe-Chatrier until the end of time.It doesn’t get more legendary than that.
Fully deserved for the biggest footprint this tournament has ever seen.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 25, 2025
French Open organisers approached Nadal for a tribute ceremony in 2024., however, the King Of Clay was was still indecisive about his future.
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“This is tough. Good evening, everyone,” the icon greeted the adoring audience in French.
“I don’t know where to start after playing on this court for the past 20 years. Winning, losing — but especially being moved every time I’ve had the chance to be here,” the southpaw added.
“Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris. You have given me emotions and moments I could never have imagined. You can never know how gratifying it is to be appreciated in the place that matters most. … You made me feel like a Frenchman,” Nadal said. “I can no longer play in front of you anymore, but my heart and my memories will always be linked to this magical place.”
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