Rafael Nadal Honored in Emotional Tribute at Roland-Garros
Tears welled up on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday as a moving tribute was paid to Rafael Nadal. The crowd greeted the legend of Roland-Garros with ochre-colored T-shirts emblazoned with “Merci Rafa – 25/05/2025,” while Marc Maury’s unmistakable voice echoed through the stadium, recalling Nadal’s 14 historic victories on the Parisian clay.
The tribute continued with a long, thunderous standing ovation, followed by a video montage celebrating the Spaniard’s remarkable journey at Roland-Garros. Moments of triumph and determination lit up the giant screens, drawing emotion from both the audience and the champion himself.
Nadal then took the microphone, addressing the crowd in French, English, and Spanish. He expressed his deep gratitude to the French public, his loved ones, and all those who stood by him throughout his career.
“I played here for the first time in 2005, and my first big moment was a match against my childhood friend and rival, Richard Gasquet,” Nadal reminisced. “That day, I truly understood the meaning of Roland-Garros.”
