In Paris, Rafael Nadal, during an emotional ceremony at the French Open on Sunday, stated he feels at peace with his retirement decision and hasn`t used a tennis racket in the past seven months as he bid farewell to Roland Garros.
Addressing a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier, Nadal expressed gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support. Tennis legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray were present on court to celebrate with him. In the stands, a crowd of 15,000, many wearing `Merci Rafa` T-shirts, included notable figures like Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Moya, and Juan Carlos Ferrero.
As a tribute, Nadal was honored with a permanent plaque featuring his footprint, placed next to a net post on the court.
“When I first saw it,” Nadal commented on the plaque, “I believed it was only for this year. Learning that it will remain there permanently is a gift beyond words.”
Nadal concluded his career last November, having won 22 Grand Slam titles, 14 of which were at Roland Garros (spanning from his first victory in 2005 to his last in 2022). A statue in his honor was already present on the grounds before his final match at the tournament the previous year, but Sunday offered him a formal opportunity to say goodbye to the court he regards as `the most significant in my career.`
Speaking about his retirement, Nadal shared, “I am enjoying myself. I don`t intensely miss tennis because I feel I gave the sport everything I had. I am here today feeling peaceful, acknowledging that my body simply cannot compete on court anymore. That`s the reality, and I accept it.”
He added, “I dedicated myself fully to having the best possible career, and now I am embracing this new chapter. While I`m certain it will be less thrilling than my tennis career, as the adrenaline from sports is hard to replicate, that doesn`t mean I`ll be less happy. I can find greater happiness with less adrenaline by focusing on different aspects of life.”
Nadal reflected on how he, Murray, Djokovic, and Federer pushed each other to achieve extraordinary heights in tennis, expressing his hope that their approach to rivalry serves as a lesson to the world.
“Having my three greatest rivals on court with me was incredibly meaningful,” Nadal stated. “It also sends a powerful message globally: that the fiercest competitors, perhaps in the entire history of our sport, can maintain mutual respect and remain good colleagues. You don`t need animosity towards an opponent to strive to defeat them with your full effort.”
He concluded, “That`s the message we conveyed to people and future generations. In a way, that is our enduring legacy. While results are important, they are ultimately just numbers. The relationships endure.”
Nadal shared a humorous anecdote, mentioning he had somewhat lost contact with Murray until receiving a text message after Arsenal defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier in the season.
He recounted, “The message simply read: `Hey, Rafa, haven`t spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you are OK.` Frankly, it took me about five seconds to grasp what I was reading. Initially, I thought, `Okay, he`s just being a genuinely nice person, asking about me and my family.` Then, after five seconds, I realized, `Ah, this is classic British humor!`”
A key theme throughout Nadal`s farewell was the paramount importance of family. His uncle and long-time coach, Toni Nadal, was present at the ceremony, as were Rafa`s wife, Maria, and their son, Rafael Jr.
Nadal was questioned about whether he would wish for his son to pursue a tennis career, facing the same demands and sacrifices he did to achieve such heights.
“If my son experiences a tennis career in the same way I did, then absolutely, yes,” Nadal responded. “Regarding the idea of sacrifices, as you mentioned, I personally never felt that way,” adding that he intends to play exhibition matches eventually. “I never felt like I forfeited a part of my life to become a professional athlete.”
He continued, “Therefore, if my son feels that connection to the sport, I will fully support him. While I don`t necessarily expect it to happen, I will support him in whatever path he chooses.”
Concluding his farewell at Roland Garros, Nadal extended thanks to the tournament organizers and paid tribute to the affection he consistently received from the Parisian audience.
“Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris,” a visibly emotional Nadal said. “You have given me countless emotions. I could never have envisioned experiencing so many incredible moments here. Feeling this immense love and appreciation is truly fantastic. That is precisely why this venue holds such profound importance for me.”
He concluded, “You made me feel like one of your own here. Although I won`t compete before you again, my heart and memories will forever be connected to this place and its wonderful people. A thousand thanks for everything.”
Marcus Bellamy