Rafael Nadal had a last appearance in the place on Sunday (25.05.25), which will be connected to his name forever. The farewell also achieved thanks to the appearance of his greatest competitors.
One last surprise was still ready for the main actor of the opening Sunday of the French Open. Marc Maury, legendary stadium spokesman on the Court Philippe Chatrier, whose voice in the tennis world everyone knows, asked Rafael Nadal, the 14-time winner on the red ash of Roland Garros, about a meter from the network post.
Amelie Mauresmo, tournament director and Gilles Moretton, President of the French Tennis Association, accompanied Nadal. A broom with which the lines are otherwise freed from the ashes was served with Moretton. The latter swept a badge. There was not only the name of Nadal not only noted, but also the “Mousquetaires coupe“To see the trophy for the winner for the men, as well as the number 14. Because Nadal won so many titles in Paris. But not so enough. On the left side of the badge, the footprint from Nadal came to light.” Rafa, your footprint will remain here. Forever. “So Maury under the standing ovation of the audience.
Nadal’s footprint for eternity
That was the moment when Rafael Nadal was finally overwhelmed. The tears, which he could hardly hold back until this point, flowed at the Mallorcan. Also in the press conference, almost two hours after the ceremony, it was difficult to put his feelings into words: “I thought there was a video, I would keep my speech, and then there are a few more surprises. I thought the badge will only stay this year. It is a big surprise that it will stay forever. On the most important tennis court for me.”
Rafael Nadal’s footprint on the sandplace of Roland-Garros
The late Sunday afternoon on the Court Philippe Chatrier was a farewell to the man who, like no one before him Bois de Boulogne has shaped. In November last year there was already a farewell, or at least trying to say goodbye. But at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, the place of his last professional match, nobody seemed to be up to the scope and size of this moment. Malaga was, that seemed clear at the time not to be the right place for the celebration in honor of one of the formative tennis players in history.
“Merci, Rafa”
Different in Paris. Hardly any detail of the special appreciation was revealed here in advance. Sure, the spectators found a T-shirt in the color of the red sand on their seats-as part of a choreography that took the whole stadium. On the T-shirts was in white writing “Merci, Rafa”. In the upper rank, some spectators were equipped with white T-shirts that showed a “Rafa” framed by two white hearts. On the other hand, the T-shirts formed a 14 with the winning trophy next to it.
But this ceremony would not have been so perfect without the three people who have shaped the last 20 years of the men’s torment with Nadal. The people without whom Nadal’s achievements in Paris would not have been possible. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, the three largest competitors of the 38-year-old, spoke a few sentences in a video shown on the large screen of the stadium. Then this broke off. Instead, the cameras waved into the catacombs. There the three climbed out of the elevator. A perfect moment.
Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the farewell of Nadal in Roland-Garros.
The biggest player that this tournament has ever seen
This afternoon Nadal himself looked as unsafe at the Center Court in Paris as he was never in his active time. In the middle of the square there was a wooden desk, nadal in the black shirt and suit behind it. He didn’t dare to spoke free, there was probably too many people to thank. He held the first part of his speech in French, then he went into English, and at the end he thanked his family in Spanish.
When the ceremony was over, Nadal had brought his son from the stands, wanted to disappear with him in the belly of Court Philippe Chatrier, he was asked back euphorically by the audience. A last round of honor, the tension of the moment had given way to his face at that time. After that, the biggest leading actor, which the theater “Court Philippe Chatrier” had ever seen, left the stage one last time.
Afterwards, Nadal spoke not only of the perfect celebration, but also of his infinite gratitude for this worthy farewell. From now on, a footprint will remind you of this moment and the extraordinary career. Embedded on a badge on the Center Court and leave the largest player that this tournament has ever seen.