Rafael Nadal in tears as he sends emotional message to Federer, Djokovic and Murray
Rafael Nadal was in tears as he was honored in a special ceremony at the French Open, with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all in attendance
Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis legend, shared an emotional message with his fellow Big Four members at a farewell ceremony during the French Open. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray joined him on Court Philippe-Chatrier to thunderous applause.
Nadal, who clinched the title 14 times at Roland Garros, played his last match there last year before hanging up his racket in November. On Sunday, he was already moved to tears before his three fellow tennis giants joined him to even more applause.
Addressing them, Nadal said: "After all these years fighting for everything, it is incredible how times change. And the perspective of things.
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"All these nerves, pressure, strange things that we feel as rivals are completely different at the end of your career. All of us achieved our dreams. We had amazing rivalries but in a good way. We fought as hard as possible but in a good way and we respected each other.
"You gave me a hard time on court but I always enjoyed pushing myself to the limit to compete with you. At the end of the day, tennis is just a game. What that means for me is that all of you are here, it is a great message to the world. We can be good friends even if we had the best rivalries on the court.
"I hope we will continue doing positive things for our sport. Thank you very much for everything and all the very best."
To honor the 14-time French Open champion, tournament organizers unveiled a special plaque on the court bearing his name, footprint, and iconic number 14. Nadal's phenomenal record of 112 wins from 116 matches at Roland-Garros has cemented his status as the most dominant player in the tournament's history.
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The ceremony, attended by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, concluded with Nadal taking a lap of honor around the court, basking in the adoration of the crowd. The majority of the spectators wore orange-clay colored shirts, while some fans in white T-shirts formed a mosaic spelling out "Rafa" with two hearts on one side of the 15,225-capacity Court Philippe-Chatrier and "14 RG" on the other.
The electric atmosphere was punctuated by Mexican waves and chants of "Rafa, Rafa" as Nadal emerged onto his beloved court to a thunderous reception. A video montage showcased his remarkable journey, from a young, long-haired matador to the accomplished 38-year-old champion.
In an emotional address, Nadal expressed gratitude to his family, including his grandmothers, coach Toni, wife Mary, and parents, who were seated in the Royal box alongside 90 friends and family members. Speaking in Spanish, he thanked them for their unwavering support.
Switching to French, Nadal told the crowd: "Merci la France. Merci Paris. You gave me so many emotions during moments I could never have imagined. It is fantastic to feel loved and appreciated in this place.
"You made me feel like one more Frenchman here. I will not be able to play here again but my memory will always be linked to this place and the people. Thank you."
