The final time Rafael Nadal stepped onto a tennis court in pictures goes viral

Rafael Nadal stepped onto the tennis court for the final time to start the week at Roland Garros in what was emotional tribute and was delightfully captured in pictures.

Nadal was joined on court by his contemporaries and rivals in Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. All three unlike the Davis Cup made the trip to Paris to see him off.

But it was multiple other moments that set the crowd off in tears. This included his tribute on the big screen which saw the tears flow for Nadal.

While unbeknownst to the legendary Spaniard, he had his footprint unveiled in the clay of Roland Garros for eternity with a tribute laid down. He won't get a statue...yet but he has perhaps more of a lasting legacy.

Every time that anyone plays on Court Philippe-Chatrier from now on, Nadal will technically be there always. Jannik Sinner even wiped the clay from the mark as he left the court the other day to start his campaign.

A real novel attempt by the team at FFT to remember the great for years to come. Corinne Dubreuil shared a last portfolio of the great tennis superstar on social media in what is a superb lookback at a great tribute. The moment also went viral in a popular Facebook group, where thousands of fans shared their emotional reactions and memories.

Look how viral it went in original post!