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'You start thinking about the emotions': Rafael Nadal opens up ahead of Roland Garros tribute

Originally posted on TennisUpToDate.com | Last updated May 18, 2025 11:08 AM ET

Rafael Nadal is already anticipating his return to Roland Garros, although this time as a retired player. The 14-time French Open champion will be honored on the first day of competition, next May 25th, at the end of the night session of the first day of competition.

The Spaniard appeared in a promotional video for the second Grand Slam of the year, ‘Only at Roland Garros,’ in which the Parisian tournament invited several tennis players to identify what makes the tournament so magical, and of course, Nadal, the absolute king of the Philippe Chatrier, could not be missing.

The former tennis player had his last participation in the tournament in 2024, falling in the first round to Alexander Zverev. At that time, Nadal still had doubts about his potential retirement, so he did not want to confirm that it would be his last appearance, asking the organization not to hold a tribute.

However, as the months passed, Nadal announced that his last appearance would be at the Davis Cup Finals with Spain, where he played a final singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp, losing 4-6, 4-6, in a tie that ended with Spain's elimination in the quarterfinals (1-2).

Already enjoying his retirement, Nadal will return to Roland Garros to receive a tribute ‘that will be full of surprises,’ as announced a few weeks ago by the tournament director Amelie Mauresmo.

While Nadal has not yet referred to the tribute he will receive, in a video posted by the official Roland Garros account on social media, he spoke about the emotions that it meant each year during his career to travel to Paris for the tournament, and what makes the clay courts at the French Open so magical. “First, a week before arriving at Roland Garros, you start thinking about all the people with whom you have a great relationship and who are behind the scenes of the tournament.”

“All the workers who improve our lives there. And then, of course, we start thinking about the emotions,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion added. “To start staying calm enough to manage the emotions I feel every time I play there. Somehow, you mentally prepare to put that aside a bit and try to play the best tennis possible.”