The final homage to King Nadal of Roland-Garros | EUROtoday

On May 25, 2025

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RAfael Nadal was entitled, Sunday, May 25, to a heat and emotional tribute on the court docket Philippe-Chatrier de Roland-Garros. With his 14 coronations, he stays the undisputed legend of this event.

A 12 months after his elimination within the first spherical in opposition to the German Alexander Zverev, when the remainder of his profession was nonetheless unsure, the 38 -year -old Spaniard was capable of say goodbye to the Parisian public. If the tribute made final November in Malaga, on the night of his retirement and a ultimate defeat within the Davis Cup, had been deemed disappointing by sure observers, that concocted for months by the organizers was memorable.

An ocher viewers

The ceremony started at 6:10 p.m., when the Manacor bull, certainly one of his nicknames, was referred to as on the court docket by the legendary presentation of the speaker Marc Maury, giving up the 14 editions of Roland-Garros after 12 months.

Rafa then entered the world wearing a black costume and welcomed like a dwelling legend by the Chatrier public, to which greater than 10,000 ocher coloured t-shirts, that of clay, and with “thank you Rafa” had been distributed. In the center of those, different white tops to kind the phrases “rafa” and “14 rG” surrounded by hearts.

After a video retracing his (many) vital moments in Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal took the microphone beneath the lifes of the general public.

“It’s difficult,” he began in French. “I don’t know where to start because after playing on this short for the past twenty years, after taking advantage, suffering, won, lost, especially after being moved each time I was lucky to be here. »»

The winner of 22 Grand Chelem titles then continued in English. “It was an incredible story. […] In 2005, I was finally able to play here for the first time. I was 18 years old and my first major experience was this match that I played against my childhood rival and my friend, Richard Gasquet. Since that day, I really understood what Roland-Garros meant, “he added, twenty years to the day after his first match on the Central within the second spherical of the 2005 version in opposition to the Belgian Xavier Malisse.

“Thank you France”

He then spoke in his native language to thank his household, current in quantity within the presidential gallery. And tears then mounted – like a number of spectators – to evoke his spouse or uncle and at all times coach, Toni Nadal.

To conclude, Rafa returned to Molière’s language to talk to the French public one final time. “Finally, thanks France, thanks Paris. You provided me feelings and moments that I may by no means have imagined. You can’t understand how rewarding it’s to really feel liked, appreciated within the place that counts most for your self, “he stated.

“You gave me the tip of my profession the potential of receiving the Olympic flame from Zizou, you provided me a powerful statue right here in Roland-Garros. You made me really feel like yet one more French. I may not play in entrance of you, however my coronary heart and my recollections will at all times stay linked to this magical place and to those individuals. Thank you very a lot for what you made me really feel, “he concluded.

The “Big 4” gathered

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray finally joined him on stage to reform the “massive 4” of the great years, who total 69 titles of the Grand Chelem. “We all realized our goals,” said Rafael Nadal. “We have built a rivalry but in a good way. […] You made me live complicated moments on the court but I really enjoyed them. In the end, tennis is just a game, “he stated emu.

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The kangaroo of the day

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The president of the French Tennis Federation, Gilles Moretton, and the director of the event, Amélie Mauresmo, revealed to him a final shock: the imprint of her foot immersed for eternity close to the web, reverse the chair of referee.

A ultimate tower of honor concluded along with his son, Rafael Junior, in his arms earlier than leaving the quick Philippe-Chatrier one final time, 46 minutes after the beginning of a ceremony which will definitely stay one, if not the spotlight of this 124th version of Roland-Garros.

https://www.lepoint.fr/sport/des-larmes-pour-l-eternite-l-ultime-hommage-au-roi-nadal-de-roland-garros-25-05-2025-2590497_26.php