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Rafael Nadal Sends Message After French Open Final

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 5:16 PM ET

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is the most accomplished man in Roland Garros history, and the "King of Clay" stamped the 2025 French Open men's singles final with a lasting message.

Nadal, who won 14 French Open titles and at one point won 81 consecutive matches on clay, was honored at Roland Garros on May 25 as this year's major event began. The Spaniard was joined by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray as he received a loud ovation from the crowd in Paris.

He played his last match at Roland Garros alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the men's doubles tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games. On Sunday, it was No. 2 Alcaraz and No. 1 Jannik Sinner who carried on the legacy with an epic final that drew a response from Nadal on social media.

Alcaraz fought off three championship points after falling into a 2-0 hole after the first two sets. The young Spaniard battled back to force a fifth set tiebreak, claiming his second consecutive French Open men's singles title.

At 5 hours and 29 minutes, it made history as the longest final match in Roland Garros history. It was also the second-longest Grand Slam men's singles final, behind only Djokovic vs. Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open (5:53).

Carlos Alcaraz has won his 5th Grand Slam title at the EXACT same age as Rafa Nadal when he achieved the same feat.

Some things are just meant to be pic.twitter.com/bjM94k2nIB
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) June 8, 2025

Congratulations from the "King of Clay" were in order after the incredible display from both athletes.

"What an incredible @rolandgarros final!" Nadal posted on X in Spanish. "Congratulations @carlosalcaraz!"

"Congrats also @janniksin for the great battle," he added in English in the same post.

¡Qué final de @rolandgarros tan increíble!

¡Enhorabuena @carlosalcaraz!

Congrats also @janniksin for the great battle
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 8, 2025

Like Nadal, Alcaraz was quick to give kudos to his opponent after their historic battle.

"I want to start with Jannik," Alcaraz said on the court after the win. "It is amazing the level you have... You are going to be champion not once, but many many times. It is a privilege to share the court with you."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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