Kingdom without the King! Yes, that sums up the 2025 French Open. It’s a shame the world won’t get the chance to see the ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal, swinging his racket, reflecting the motto, ‘Victory belongs to the most tenacious’ with his every step at the Stade Roland Garros. Since his debut triumph in 2005, Nadal has clinched 14 titles at this iconic venue and has a win-loss ratio of 112-4 (almost 97%). What does this tournament mean to the Spaniard? “Roland Garros is the most important tournament of my tennis career… [it] stay[s] in my heart forever,” he said in a previous interview. His relationship with the Parisian crowd and this tournament as a whole is pretty special. Hence, this year, the organizers have arranged for a surprise to celebrate his legacy in the sport and his contributions to the tournament. When, where, and what is the surprise going to be for Rafa?
Earlier this year, the French Tennis Federation President, Giles Moretton, revealed, “We will have a ‘tribute‘ year. I’m not giving away any secrets, there will definitely be something for Rafael Nadal, a real tribute, very important. We are attached to it.” Last year Nadal refused to accept the tribute because of his uncertainties about whether the 2024 French Open would be his last appearance or not. He was defeated in the first round by Alexander Zverev in straight sets that time. Despite the loss, he received a warm reception from the crowd, and perhaps this time it’ll be a lot bigger turnout.
Talking about this event featuring Rafael Nadal, Moretton had earlier said there would be “great moment” for him in this year’s edition of this mega clay court tournament. What’s that great moment? As per the reports, the ceremony will be held on the opening day of the Roland Garros and the event will be on Court Philippe-Chatrier following the conclusion of the day’s matches (on Sunday, May 25). While speaking about this exhibition where he will receive a tribute from the Grand Slam event, Nadal said, “I’m not much for tributes, but Roland-Garros is obviously the most important place in my career, without a doubt.“
He also said, “So, if something big is to be done, it has to be there, or at least give them priority to do it there. And that’s how it was planned from the beginning, and nothing more. I’m delighted that it’s the way it is.” But what has the tournament organizers planned for him exactly? As per the tournament director, Amelie Mauresomo, “We want to honor Rafa and make sure that we celebrate him in the right way. Winning 14 times here is such a special memory for him, such a special relationship between the tournament and Rafa. He also wants something simple, authentic, and true, just like he is. So we try to fit that order, let’s say.”
Mauresmo said that they hope to continue to “work together” with Rafa in the future. “Nothing has been really determined really well, but the will from both Roland-Garros and Rafa is to really continue the story after he’s done with his tennis career. They are linked forever, Rafa and the tournament. We’re going to find a way.” She further added, “To be honest, the priority was really to focus on the movie that we made, the little promotional movie that we made with Rafa, to focus on the ceremony that we’re going to have, then we’ll be able to, from there, really work on something that is making him happy, that is making us happy.” She claims that she’s 100 percent sure that they’re going to find ways to work together.
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 27, 2024 Spain’s Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd as he leaves the court after losing his first round match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Yves Herman
Rafael Nadal is, in fact, the star of a promotional video for this year’s French Open, which has the tagline “only at Roland-Garros.” Rafael Nadal and the French Open are truly a “love story” that will be cherished for a long time in the tennis world. How does the tennis world react to entering the French Open post-Rafa era?
“His legacy will last forever” – Carlos Alcaraz on his idol, Rafael Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion at the 2025 French Open. He has been in red-hot form on red clay this year, having won titles in Monte Carlo and Rome. Alcaraz will start his campaign against Italy’s Giulio Zeppieri on Super Sunday. But before that, he shared his thoughts on this tournament and the legacy of the ‘King of Clay’.
In a recent interview with Roland Garros, he revealed that this is a “very special place” to him and also spoke about how in his childhood days, he used to watch many Spanish players do well here, including his tennis idol, Rafael Nadal. But this year, Rafa won’t be playing at this tournament. What does he have to say about his compatriot’s long-lasting legacy at the terre battue of Paris and his learning from him?
“His game, the way he is on court, his mentality, his love of the game. Rafa is an exceptional person, really humble..The way he approaches a match, the passion with which he plays each tie, and how he prepares too. Playing doubles with him, I also learned how he managed certain situations and handled pressure. That will be really helpful to me throughout my career. He has been one of the best ambassadors for tennis and I think his legacy will last forever. He was probably one of the players who put tennis at the pinnacle of sport, the pinnacle of the world. It was amazing to have Rafa in tennis at this time in my life,” Alcaraz
Norwegian tennis star, Casper Ruud, thinks, “I don’t think his record (14 Grand Slam titles) will ever be broken, maybe not in our lifetime.” Talking about his absence from the French Open this year, Hugo Gaston said, “It’s going to be strange. It’ll leave room for someone else in any case. Roland-Garros and Nadal, the two are linked. I know there will be a tribute. A Roland-Garros without Nadal might be a little different.” Even Lorenzo Musetti claimed it’ll be “strange” for the fans, but the history he made in Paris will “never be forgotten.”
America’s Tommy Paul also shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s absence this year, saying, “Luckily — or unluckily — I never got to play him in Roland-Garros.” He further added, “It’s nice to not have to worry about him, I guess. That’s the main thing that comes to my mind.” With Nadal’s absence this year, who do you think will be the new ‘Prince’ at the Stade Roland Garros?
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