Rafael Nadal bids farewell to Roland Garros with emotional ceremony as Federer, Djokovic and Murray reunite to honour the 14-time champion.
Rafael Nadal’s farewell to the French Open on Sunday was an emotional celebration, bringing together tennis’s iconic ‘Big Four’—Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray—on Court Philippe Chatrier. The event marked a poignant tribute to Nadal’s incredible legacy as the 14-time champion at Roland Garros, and a rare reunion of the quartet, whose rivalries defined a golden era of tennis.
At 37, Nadal reflected on the transformation of their relationships from fierce competition to deep friendship. “It’s unbelievable how time changes the perspective of things,” he told his former rivals turned friends. “We built amazing rivalries but were good colleagues and respected one another. It means a lot that you’re all here.”
Federer, whose own farewell last year moved fans worldwide, embraced Nadal warmly, followed by hugs from Djokovic and Murray. Djokovic had arrived in Paris hours earlier after securing the 100th title of his career, while Murray, who recently ended his coaching role with Djokovic, made a special trip from London just to attend, underlining his respect and longstanding friendship with Nadal.
Murray praised Nadal’s extraordinary achievements, particularly at Roland Garros, calling his 14 titles “a record that will stand the test of time.” The Briton shared a light-hearted anecdote revealing their bond: after Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, Murray sent Nadal a joking message checking if he was okay—a humorous gesture Nadal appreciated, typical of British humour.
The ceremony was held on the very court where Nadal played the majority of his 115 French Open matches, and where he earned his 14 titles. Fans donned terracotta-coloured T-shirts matching the iconic clay surface, creating a sea of Roland Garros orange in the 15,000-seat stadium. Before Nadal appeared, chants of “Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!” echoed around the arena, greeted by a standing ovation as the champion walked out.
A moving video montage highlighted Nadal’s unforgettable moments at the tournament. In his speech, delivered in Spanish, French and English, Nadal thanked his family—who have been his constant support throughout his career—and the French fans for their passion. The crowd watched as Nadal struggled to hold back tears, especially when paying tribute to his uncle Toni Nadal, his coach and mentor behind 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles.
The ceremony concluded with a special tribute unveiled by French Open director Amelie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton: a silver plaque featuring Nadal’s footprint beside the net post on Court Philippe Chatrier, a permanent reminder of his enduring legacy.
Reflecting on the day, Nadal admitted, “For a guy like me, who does not like these sort of things, I am still a bit shy and don’t like to be the centre of attention. But I enjoyed it a lot.” His farewell at Roland Garros was not just a goodbye, but a heartfelt celebration of one of the greatest careers tennis has ever seen.
