Rafael Nadal, a name synonymous with Roland Garros, was visibly moved to tears on Monday after receiving a surprise farewell tribute from his fiercest rivals following what may be his final match at the French Open.
🚨 HISTORIQUE !
La légende du tennis Rafael Nadal fait ses adieux à Rolland Garros aujourd’hui en larmes 💔
Les frissons.. pic.twitter.com/AQPrrMcuMp
— FRENCHRAPUS 🇺🇸 (@FrenchRapUS) May 25, 2025
The 14-time champion, who has long hinted that 2024 could be his last professional season, walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier to a standing ovation — but it was what happened next that truly broke him.
Rafa Nadal Jr. aún no lo sabe, pero acaba de vivir uno de los momentos más espectaculares posibles en la historia del tenis y del deporte ❤️pic.twitter.com/Omg2KuPQa9
— VSports Team (@VSportsTM) May 25, 2025
Rafa Nadal’s footprint will stay on Court Philippe-Chatrier until the end of time.
It doesn’t get more legendary than that.
Fully deserved for the biggest footprint this tournament has ever seen.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 25, 2025
🥹 What a touching moment, with Rafael Nadal’s footprint being on Philippe Chatrier for forever more 🇫🇷pic.twitter.com/4Om6dnF6ic
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) May 25, 2025
As Nadal waved goodbye to the crowd, a surprise video began playing on the stadium screen, featuring heartfelt messages from longtime rivals Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. Each praised his unmatched dominance on clay, his humility in victory, and his grit in defeat.
Rafa Nadal said beautiful words to Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray during his Roland Garros tribute:
“After all these years fighting for everything it’s unbelievable how the time changes perspective of everything. You don’t know yet Novak. Probably you know… pic.twitter.com/LdTLarRPFT
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 25, 2025
“It’s been the greatest challenge and greatest honour sharing this era with you,” Federer said in the video. “Roland Garros will always be your home.”
Nadal covered his face with his towel as the crowd erupted. Even Djokovic, often a challenger to Nadal’s clay-court supremacy, appeared courtside and later embraced the Spaniard in a rare moment of public emotion.
Thank you guys. From the bottom of my heart 😘
🙌🏻 @rogerfederer @DjokerNole @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/LrTHOooODA
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) May 26, 2025
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