One year after a year when he last bid as a player to Roland Garros, 14 -time French Open champion Rafael Nadal will be paid a special tribute to the venue where he was practically unbeaten for most of his career.
The Spanish legend demanded time on his famous career after the Davis Cup final later last year, which collected 22 Grand Slam titles, and the opening day of the tournament – will be honored on the court Philip Chatterier at the end of the day session on May 25.
“Rafa made history in Roland Garros and his 14 titles would probably be unequal,” said Amali Morsmo, director of the tournament. “The idea is to have a vision for the future and celebrate us very excited in the past.”
The French Open retired Richard Gasket and 2000 champion Mary Pierce will also be honored.
The organizers said in a news release, “On the first season after Rafa’s retirement, there will be an event after the end of three fixtures of the day session.” “An elaborate and entertaining exhibition dedicated to Legendary Spaniard will also contest for the tournament period in Roland-Germos Tennisium.”
Nadal won the French Open nine times in 10 years from 2005 to 2014, and won five more titles in six years from 2017 to 2022. Its Grand Slam Tail is second after Novak Djokovic 24.
After losing Alexander Zurio in the first round, the organizers did not arrange a good farewell for Nadal because Spaniard did not clearly stated that he had his last participation in the tournament.
The story continues below this ad
“We wanted to pay this tribute last year, to be transparent last year, but at that time, he refused,” Morsmo said. “They were not convinced that this was his last Rolland Garros. Now when he has retired, he is happy to receive it.”
Nadal, 38, already has a sculpture at the clay court Grand Salem. He will also present an exhibition at the tournament museum and give his voice to the French Open official trailer.
© IE Online Media Services Private Limited
