Rafael Nadal was honored with a rousing farewell on May 25, 2025, as he stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier for what is likely his final appearance at Roland Garros. The 38-year-old, who retired from tennis last November, was celebrated for his remarkable legacy and incredible career.
As the crowd erupted in applause, fans held colored t-shirts spelling out “14 RG, Rafa”, paying tribute to Nadal’s unmatched French Open record. Since his debut win in 2005, Nadal has left an indelible mark on the clay courts of Paris.
Nadal’s French Open Legacy
- 14 French Open Titles: The most by any player, won between 2005 and 2022.
- 112-4 Win-Loss Record at Roland Garros, the highest match-winning percentage in a Grand Slam.
- First player in history to win four consecutive French Open titles twice (2005–2008, 2017–2020).
- Only player to win the French Open and another Grand Slam (US Open) in the same year four times.
Rafael Nadal’s Career Records and Achievements
- 22 Grand Slam Singles Titles, including:
- 14 French Open titles
- 4 US Open titles
- 2 Wimbledon titles
- 2 Australian Open titles
- Olympic Gold Medal in singles (Beijing 2008).
- Winner of 92 ATP Tour titles overall.
- Over 1,068 career match wins.
- Ranked World No. 1 for a total of 209 weeks.
- Member of Spain’s Davis Cup-winning team (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2019).
- Renowned for his fighting spirit, humility, and sportsmanship on and off the court.
A Message of Respect and Legacy
In his farewell speech, Nadal expressed his gratitude and the values he stood for:
“I don’t know how to start… I’ve been playing on this court for 20 years. I suffered, I won, I lost. I have lived many emotions here on this court. It has been unforgettable, plenty of emotions for a guy like me that doesn’t love these kinds of things because I’m still a little bit shy for all this stuff. I don’t like a lot to be the center of attention for these things. It was enough when I was playing tennis. But I enjoyed it, honestly. I suffered a little bit with the emotions, but I enjoyed a lot.”
He added:
“You don’t need to hate the opponent to try to beat him with all your force. And that’s the message that I think we showed people, we showed the new generations, and in some way, that’s our legacy.”
After Nadal’s speech, tennis legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray joined him on the court in a fitting tribute to a true champion.
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