The French Open is set to honor the tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a special tribute ceremony on the tournament’s opening day on 25 May 2025 at Court Philippe-Chatrier. This tribute celebrates Nadal’s unmatched record at Roland Garros, where he won a record 14 singles titles, earning the title “King of Clay.”
The tribute will take place after the day session matches on 25 May. Additionally, he will also assume the role of ambassador for the French Open and feature in an exhibition at the tournament’s museum and lend his voice to the official French Open promotional video.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo made the announcement and said, “Rafa made history at Roland Garros and his 14 titles will perhaps remain unequalled. The idea is to have a vision for the future and also to celebrate those who thrilled us in the past.”
The tournament is also significant this year, as the prize money has been increased by just over 5% compared to 2024, reaching a total of €56.3 million. The tournament will maintain its traditional officiating system with line judges present and umpires responsible for ball mark reviews instead of electronic means. Regarding the same, he said, “I think we are right to keep our referees and linesmen at Roland Garros. The federation wants to keep our referees for as long as we can. I hope we’ll be able to maintain it in our tournaments in the future.”
Why is the French Open Honoring Rafael Nadal?
Rafael Nadal’s impact on the French Open is historic. Over the years, he has collected an extraordinary number of titles. He boasts a win-loss record of 112-4 at Roland Garros with a win rate of 96.5%. His last grand slam victory came at the 2022 French Open, which he achieved despite battling with foot injuries.
He then announced his retirement from professional tennis in November 2024 after an incredible career that included 22 Grand Slam titles. His last appearance in the French Open was in 2024, when he was defeated by Alexander Zverev in the first round. Regardless of the fact, he remains a celebrated personality in tennis, especially at the French Open. The ceremony aims to celebrate and solidify his connection to the tournament.
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