Paris, May 25 (UNI) Rafael Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion, received a heartfelt tribute at Court Philippe-Chatrier as he was honoured in a special ceremony attended by a 15,000-strong crowd.

Nadal, who first played at the French Open two decades ago at the age of 18, delivered an emotional speech thanking his legendary rivals Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer for pushing him to his limits both physically and mentally.

“In 2005 I was finally able to play here for the first time. My first major experience was the match against my childhood friend and rival Richard Gasquet,” Nadal recalled.

“From that day, I fully understood what Roland Garros meant. I have experienced everything over these 20 years. I’ve had incredible rivals like Andy, Novak, and, of course, Roger. Many others pushed me to my physical and mental limits.”

The entire stadium was awash in orange, with fans wearing clay-coloured “Merci Rafa” shirts and messages of gratitude projected throughout the venue. A video montage showcasing Nadal’s highlights at Roland Garros played on the big screens, bringing Nadal and his family, including his uncle Toni and wife and son, to tears.

Notable attendees included reigning champion Iga Swiatek, rising star Carlos Alcaraz, and former French Open winner Juan Carlos Ferrero, who joined the audience in paying tribute to the Spanish tennis great.

The emotional ceremony celebrated Nadal’s unparalleled achievements and enduring legacy at Roland Garros, marking the end of an era in men’s tennis.

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