Roland Garros Pays Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal With Iconic Footprint Ceremony
In an emotional and unforgettable tribute at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, was honoured with a perpetual footprint installation on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday. The moment, steeped in emotion, brought together tennis greats Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray in a celebration of the man known as the “King of Clay.”
The metal plate, featuring Nadal’s footprint, his name, and the number 14—symbolizing his French Open titles—was unveiled by French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton and tournament director Amelie Mauresmo. Positioned next to the net, it now stands as a lasting symbol of Nadal’s unmatched legacy at the tournament.
The tribute included a heartfelt video segment featuring his three legendary rivals. “We couldn’t let you leave like this,” Andy Murray said, as he, Federer, and Djokovic walked onto the clay court together to embrace Nadal.
Nadal, who turns 39 next month and retired after last season, was visibly emotional as he hugged his long-time competitors. “At the end, now, it’s all about being happy about everything that we achieved,” Nadal said. “All of us achieved our dreams.”
The “Big Four”—Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, and Murray—have collectively won 69 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic remains active and leads the group with 24 majors. Nadal follows with 22, Federer with 20, and Murray with 3.
Reflecting on their intense rivalries, Nadal added, “You don’t know yet, Novak. Probably you know already, Andy. With Roger, we’ve talked about it a couple of times. The nerves, the pressure, the strange feelings when we saw each other as rivals—it’s completely different now.”
Nadal’s historic matchups include:
- 60 encounters with Djokovic (Djokovic leads 31–29, but Nadal leads 8–2 at Roland Garros)
- 40 matches vs. Federer (Nadal leads 24–16; 6–0 at Roland Garros)
- 24 clashes with Murray (Nadal leads 17–7)
Nadal concluded, “We showed the world that we can fight as hard as possible while maintaining respect and camaraderie. You gave me some hard times on court, but I truly enjoyed pushing myself to the limit to compete with you all.”
This iconic moment at Roland Garros not only marked the end of an era but also celebrated a career that has inspired millions across the globe.
