French Open 2025: 'Inhuman' Rafael Nadal waves goodbye to Roland-Garros - 'Most important court of my career'
By Oli Gent
Published 25/05/2025 at 21:59 GMT+1
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Rafael Nadal bade farewell to Roland-Garros in a glossy-eyed goodbye ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The tournament, which Nadal won a record 14 times in his illustrious career, arranged a special ceremony for the Spaniard on day one of the 2025 edition of the event, and Nadal was joined on court by his former rivals, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer.
Nadal's full English speech from emotional French Open tribute
Video credit: TNT Sports
A tearful Rafael Nadal waved a final goodbye to the French Open in an emotional farewell ceremony for the 14-time champion at Roland-Garros.
The Spaniard, who retired from tennis in November last year, was brought out on day one of the 2025 tournament to be given a proper send-off.
Last year, he was defeated in the opening round by eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev, but there were question marks over whether that would be his final French Open appearance.
It turned out to be, although he played back at Roland-Garros one final time at the Paris 2024 Olympics, losing to Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles, and reaching the quarter-finals of the doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
He addressed former rivals, the French crowd, tournament staff, and his family in French, English and Spanish, giving thanks to everyone who helped him dominate the red clay of Paris for as long as he did.
"My infinite gratitude to the entire Roland-Garros team for giving me the opportunity," Nadal said.
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"Without a doubt, the most important tennis court of my career. It’s been an incredible story that began back in 2004 when I came to Roland-Garros for the very first time. I could barely walk because of my foot injury, but I climbed to the top of the court on crutches. I looked and dreamed of coming back the following year to compete. In 2005, I was finally able to play here for the first time at 18.
"My first major experience was a match against my childhood friend Richard Gasquet. From that day on, I fully understood what Roland-Garros meant. I’ve experienced everything over these 20 years.
"I’ve had incredible rivals - Andy [Murray], Novak [Djokovic], Roger [Federer] - and of course, many others who pushed me to my physical and mental limits. Truly, nothing could have been as thrilling without these long-lasting rivalries that have driven all of us to improve every single day.
"Roland-Garros is unique. Not just because it’s a fundamental part of tennis history, but also because of all the people who work tirelessly with a smile to make this tournament what it is - unique."
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'The biggest dominance of any sport' - Wilander on Nadal's 'inhuman' legacy
Video credit: TNT Sports
The TNT Sports pundits hailed the ‘King of Clay’ as one of the best to ever do it, with Mats Wilander calling Nadal "inhuman".
"We have to realise what Rafa Nadal did here in Paris - winning 14 times - that is the biggest dominance of any sport," Wilander said on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"Not just tennis. You can go to any sport, and I bet you there is no-one who has dominated as much as Rafa did here at the French Open.
"That’s why we’re showing him appreciation, because it’s inhuman to do what he did. It’s absolutely unbelievable. I never thought it would be possible in any sport, and we have it in our sport. So special."
Fellow TNT Sports pundit Alex Corretja said that everyone involved in tennis needed to be "thankful" to his compatriot for the service and the enjoyment he has given over the course of his 23-year career.
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Watch as Federer, Djokovic and Murray greet Nadal in emotional ceremony
Video credit: TNT Sports
"We need to be very thankful," Corretja said.
"We’ve learned a lot with Rafa. The way he behaved on and off the court. He always gave his 100%. Sometimes that 100% wasn’t great, but he didn’t care. There were no limits with Rafa."
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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