Tennis legend Rafael Nadal will be honoured at the 2025 French Open with a special tribute on the tournament’s opening day.
Nadal is considered one of the greatest players in Roland-Garros history, for he has won the title 14 times. He also only lost four matches in all of his 19 appearances.
In his last French Open match last year, Nadal was defeated by Alexander Zverev in the first round. He also announced that he would retire from tennis at the end of the 2024 season. This year, he will be returning not as a player, but for a memorable tribute for his tennis legacy.
French Open opening day tribute
Rafael Nadal will be honoured with a ceremony on the opening day on Court Philippe-Chatrier. This event will happen right after the day’s matches. Moreover, there will also be a special exhibition dedicated to Nadal, which will be held throughout the duration of the tournament.
With this, Nadal expressed: “I’m not much for tributes, but Roland-Garros is obviously the most important place in my career, without a doubt.”
He added: “So, if something big is to be done, it has to be there, or at least give them priority to do it there. And that’s how it was planned from the beginning, and nothing more. I’m delighted that it’s the way it is.”
Moreover, Amelia Mauresmo, the French Open tournament director, also told TNT Sports: “We want to honour Rafa and make sure that we celebrate him in the right way… Winning 14 times here is such a special memory for him, such a special relationship between the tournament and Rafa… He also wants something simple, authentic, and true, just like he is. So we try to fit that order, let’s say.”
Nadal’s Roland Garros journey
Nadal made an unforgettable debut at the French Open back in 2005, where he won the title at just 19 years old. Over the course of nine years, Nadal dominated the Roland-Garros, winning the title eight times while only suffering a single defeat. He was defeated in the fourth round in 2009 by Robin Soderling.
His French Open success continued throughout his sporting career, building up to his 14th and final victory back in 2022. He defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets to secure another historic moment at the tournament.
With Rafael Nadal’s extraordinary legacy at the French Open, Mauresmo admitted that he hopes to “work together” with him in some way in the future.
Mauresmo remarked: “Nothing has been really determined really well, but the will from both Roland-Garros and Rafa is to really continue the story after he’s done with his tennis career… They are linked forever, Rafa and the tournament. We’re going to find a way.”
“… the priority was really to focus on the movie that we made, the little promotional movie that we made with Rafa, to focus on the ceremony that we’re going to have, then we’ll be able to, from there, really work on something that is making him happy, that is making us happy… I’m 100 percent sure we’re going to find ways to work together,” he added.
Rafael Nadal stars in the 2025 French Open’s official promo video, with the tagline “Only at Roland-Garros.”
In a social media post, Roland-Garros shared the promotional video with a caption: “Only at #RolandGarros Narrated by Rafael Nadal”
Netizens commented on the video and stated: “Roland Garros = Rafael Nadal ❤️”, “We will miss you Rafa ❤️🎾”, “Omg Rafa I will always miss you on court😢💔❤️🩹”, and “Rafa is the perfect ambassador. Love Rafa and all he accomplished here. So inspiring”