Video Rafael Nadal returned to Roland Garros. And not alone! “King of the slag”, honored at the Great Slam tournament where he triumphed 14 times
Rafael Nadal, goodbye ceremony at Roland Garros. Credit: Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP / Profimedia
The great Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returned to Roland Garros, his soul tour, where he wrote history, this time without the tennis rocket. The organizers of the Grand Slem competition organized a ceremony on the central land of Philippe-Catrier on Sunday, to pay homage on their big champion. An official ceremony of tennis withdrawal of the “King of the slag”.
“Rafa” is the most titled player in the history of the Roland Garros tournament, with 14 trophies gathered in 19 participations.
And at exactly 20 years and two days after the first match played in Roland Garros, he stepped again Philippe-chatrier, on Sunday afternoon, on the first day of this year's edition, to be tribute to his performances at the Parisian tournament.
Present at the ceremony, to celebrate the “King of the Slag”, there were three other great champions and Rivali – Serb Novak Djokovic, the Swiss Roger Federer and the British Andy Murray.
Nadal, in tears
The Spaniard held an emotional speech in front of an arena full of eyes. Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris. You gave me emotions that I would never have imagined. You made me feel very appreciated. You gave me, as a conclusion of my career, to take over the Olympic torch from Zizou's hands (Zidane). I will never be able to play in front of you again, but my heart and memories will always be united with you, ”Rafael Nadal told them.
Nadal was surprised in tears while watching a video with important moments in his career at Roland Garros, reports Golazo.ro.
National#Gmax | #Geurosport pic.twitter.com/uo7t2klpgd
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Rafael Nadal (38 years old), who won the Open of France 14 times, withdrew from November last year.
The organizers confirmed, last week, that the festival will be held on the “Philippe-Catrier” land, on the first day of the tournament, on Sunday, after the matches.
“Rafa was very clear to me: he wants something simple, in his face. He does not like to be in the center of attention. It will be a sincere, authentic moment, inevitably loaded with emotion, here, at Roland Garros, his soul tour,” said Amelie Maurresto, director of the tournament in the capital of France.
For ever ♾️#rolandgaros @Rafaelnadal pic.twitter.com/skuncinjte
-Roland-Garros (@rolandgaros) May 25, 2025
Big 4 ❌
Big 5 🤝#Rolandgaros pic.twitter.com/g5lda2u45b-Roland-Garros (@rolandgaros) May 25, 2025
RAFA, 22 Grand Slam titles in track
Rafael Nadal won the last of the 22 great Slam titles in Palmares at Roland Garros, in 2022.
His last appearance at the Paris tournament took place last year, when he was not a series head and had an unfavorable draw and met in the first round, the German Alexander Zverev, who won 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
Zverev became in 2024 only the third player, along with the Swedish Robin Soederling and Serb Novak Djokovic (twice), who defeated Nadal at Roland Garros, the balance of the Spanish being 112 victories and 4 defeats.
