Roger Federer Almost Moved to Tears During Roland Garros’ Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal

A plaque honoring the footsteps of the "King of Clay," Rafael Nadal, will be permanently etched into Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Roger Federer Almost Moved to Tears During Roland Garros’ Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene)

For Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal‘s retirement ceremony at the Roland Garros was “perfect“. The much-awaited ceremony took place at the famous Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday (May 25th).

Nadal cried, gave a speech in three different languages (English, Spanish, and French), was joined by his three longtime rivals (Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray), was given a memento by French Open director Amelie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Gilles Moretton, with the word ‘Legend’ imprinted on it. And finally, the plaque of his footprint– which will be etched on the court forever- was unveiled.

It was perfect! Honestly, giving Rafa that plaque forever was great. It didn’t surprise me because I knew it in advance, unlike him. But I was happy for him, to see him so moved. Personally, it was the moment when I walked towards him as I entered the court that was the most moving.

Roger Federer said (via L’Equipe)

Nadal hung up his racket last year at the Davis Cup. The reason the French Open didn’t organize the ceremony last year was because Nadal refused it as he was uncertain about his retirement.

Back in 2022, he attended the ceremony of Federer at the Laver Cup. The picture of these legends shedding tears while holding hands will forever be etched in the memories of tennis fans.

It was a very powerful moment for Novak, Andy, and me. Did I shed a little tear? Almost! Especially when I greeted Rafa because I felt he was very touched by this ceremony.

Roger Federer added

Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, and Murray have won a combined 69 Grand Slam titles. In the head-to-head record, the King of Clay led 24-16 against the Swiss Maestro, who played his last official match (doubles) with Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup.

Rafael Nadal recalls foot injury he dealt with during the 2022 Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal won the last Grand Slam of his career at the 2022 Roland Garros. In the final, Casper Ruud was no match for him, as throughout the match, the Norwegian could win a total of six games and was handed a bagel in the final set.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Image via Game, Set & Talk)

En route to winning his 14th French Open title, the 38-year-old knocked out Novak Djokovic in four sets in the quarterfinals. For Nadal, the French Open victory in 2022 was the most ‘unexpected’ title of his career.

Even though he won his first two matches without dropping a set, severe pain in his foot after his second-round win over Corentin Moutet made him feel his career was over. Nadal recalled his last Major victory during an interview with Roland Garros’ YouTube channel.

I was crying, I remember very well crying at 5 in the morning on the bed, thinking that my career was over, and also Roland Garros of course. But then, in the morning, I was talking with my doctor and we found a way to sleep the nerve.

Since that victory, Nadal reached a semifinal just once that year and started the next season at the Australian Open where a hip injury and then surgery forced him to miss the rest of the season. He then made his comeback at the Brisbane International in 2024, but another injury made him stay on the sidelines for a few more months.

After recovering, he played six clay-court tournaments, including the Paris Olympics. In his final match at the Roland Garros, Nadal unsurprisingly lost in straight sets to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev in the first round. The Davis Cup match against Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp in Malaga last November was his career’s final singles match.

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