Nadal Honoured Emotionally, Rivals Celebrate Legacy

TDT | Manama

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Rafa Nadal’s storied career was celebrated in style at Roland Garros on Sunday, with thousands of fans and tennis greats Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray joining to honour the Spaniard’s 14 French Open titles. A plaque unveiled on Court Philippe Chatrier immortalised Nadal, who admitted the presence of his fiercest rivals made the emotional evening unforgettable.

A Star-Studded Salute

As fans donned ‘Merci Rafa’ shirts, the loudest roars came when Federer, Djokovic, and Murray stepped onto the clay to share words and laughter with Nadal. The 38-year-old, fresh from his final Davis Cup appearance for Spain, welled up watching a video of his greatest moments. “I didn’t know they’d come, but it meant a lot,” Nadal said at a packed press conference, noting their shared history pushed tennis to new heights.

Rivalry That Redefined Tennis

Nadal reflected on the ‘Big Four’ rivalry with Federer, Djokovic, and Murray, crediting it for elevating the sport. “We pushed each other to the limits,” he said, explaining how their competition ensured one of them was always in contention, driving record-breaking achievements. “We raised the numbers of tennis history to the next level,” he added, confident the next generation, like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, will build on their legacy.

Humility Behind the Glory

Despite his 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal insisted he never saw himself as special. “I always had doubts, and I never considered myself that good,” he said, attributing his success to daily improvement and a constant fear of losing. That mindset, he believes, fuelled his remarkable career. The plaque at Roland Garros, he added, was met with “infinite gratitude” for cementing his bond with the tournament.

A Lasting Legacy

With defending champions Alcaraz and Swiatek among the crowd, Nadal’s farewell felt like a passing of the torch. His rivals’ presence underscored the respect he’s earned, and as he steps away from the sport, his humility and achievements leave an indelible mark on tennis history.