Without a doubt, the first day of the French Open was centred around an icon of the tournament.
Less than a year after playing his last match as a professional, Rafael Nadal received a fitting tribute at a tournament he dominated throughout his career. The only player in history to have lifted the French Open trophy on 14 separate occasions, the Spaniard lost only four out of 116 matches played at Roland Garros. Making him currently the only male player to have won 100 or more matches at the tournament. Although Novak Djokovic (who is currently on 96 wins) could join him soon.
Taking to Court Phillippe Chartier shortly after Lorenzo Musetti won his first round match, thousands of fans in the stands paid tribute by wearing a red t-shirt produced by the French Tennis Federation with the words ‘Merci Rafa’ on it. Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek were among those in attendance along with Nadal’s friends and family.
As the King of Clay took to the microphone, chants of ‘Rafa’ erupted which brought him to tears.
“I don’t know how to start after having played on this court during the last 20 years. After having succeeded, suffered, won, lost, and above all, after having been grateful each time that I had the chance to play here,” Nadal addressed the crowd in French.
“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 due to my foot injury, but I climbed to the top of the court on crutches,” he later added in English.
The ceremony aimed to thank Nadal for his contribution to the French Open and tennis as a whole. Although he made sure that those who got him to where he is also received credit. One of the most notable is his uncle Toni. The person who introduced him to tennis at the age of three and was a prominent fixture in his coaching team for the majority of Nadal’s career.
“Thank you for having dedicated a huge part of your life to being with me. Talking, training, winning, making me suffer and pushing me to my limits. What we have lived was never easy, but without a doubt, it was worth it,” Nadal said to Toni.
During the presentation, a video was played with messages from his former rivals Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. A quartet of players who dominated men’s tennis for more than a decade. Federer (20), Nadal (22) and Djokovic (24) are the three most successful male players in Grand Slam history in terms of titles won.
After the video ended, the trio walked out onto the court for a reunion. Prompting a huge applause from the crowd.
“After all these years fighting for everything, it’s unbelievable how time changes the perspective of everything,” Nadal said to the trio.
“You don’t know yet, Novak. You will, Andy. Roger and I have been speaking about that. Pressure, nerves, all those things that you feel when you’re rivals. It’s completely different when you finish your career. It’s all about being happy about everything that we have achieved.
“We all achieved our dreams, becoming tennis players and built amazing rivalries in a good way. We showed the world that we could fight as hard as possible in a good way, as good colleagues, respecting each other very well.
“It means so much that all of you are here. You gave me some hard times on court, but I really enjoyed it a lot, pushing myself to the limit every day to compete with all of you. At the end of the day, tennis is just a game. Sometimes we feel it a little bit more. What that means, for me, that all of you are here, is everything. It’s a great message to the world that we can be great friends even after having the best rivalries.
“Thank you for everything over all these years. Our legacy will always be there for sure.”
In the latest token of praise for Nadal, on the French Open’s main court, a new plaque has been placed near the stands on the side opposite the chair umpire’s stand. It has Nadal’s footprint, name, the number “14” and a sketch of the tournament trophy.
“Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris. You have given me emotions and moments I could never have imagined. You can never know how gratifying it is to be appreciated in the place that matters most. … You made me feel like a Frenchman. I can no longer play in front of you anymore, but my heart and my memories will always be linked to this magical place.” He concluded.
