Tennis legend Rafael Nadal to receive major honor on Roland Garros opening day

Rafael Nadal enjoyed a 23-year career on the ATP Tour, during which he captured 92 titles and held the world No. 1 ranking multiple times. As part of the legendary “Big Three” alongside Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the Spanish icon dominated men’s tennis for two decades. But nowhere was his dominance more pronounced than at the French Open, a tournament where he achieved historic success—and the reason he will be honored this year.

Nadal will receive the tribute on May 25, during the opening day of Roland Garros on Court Philippe-Chatrier, in recognition of his extraordinary professional career and, above all, his unmatched impact at the French Open, where he holds the all-time record with 14 titles.

“Rafa has left his mark on the history of the French Open in so many ways, that’s why a tribute ceremony will be held in his honor,” said Amelie Mauresmo, former tennis star and current French Open tournament director, according to Tennis.com. “We want the tribute to be special, exceptional. We want it to be a surprise for everyone.”

Nadal’s connection with Roland Garros has already earned him other prestigious honors in recent years. The most notable is a statue of the Spanish legend, which was unveiled in 2021 and now stands on the grounds of the tournament complex.

Rafael Nadal celebrates his last title at Roland Garros in 2022.

Nadal declined the honor while still active

The Roland Garros organization originally intended to hold the tribute earlier. “We wanted to do the tribute last year, to be transparent, but he refused at the time,” Mauresmo said. “He wasn’t sure that it was his last Roland Garros.”

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In the 2024 edition of the Grand Slam, the Spanish star was unable to claim a 15th title, falling in the first round to Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. “We saw an incredible atmosphere last summer in Paris. We plan on surfing on this success,” Mauresmo added about the planned tribute. “Now that he is retired, he is happy to receive it.”

Nadal’s legacy at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal made his ATP Tour debut at just 15 years old in 2002. It took him three more years to reach the French Open for the first time—and in that 2005 debut, he captured the title by defeating Argentina’s Mariano Puerta in the final. It was the first of his 22 Grand Slam titles.

The Spanish star won four straight French Open titles from 2005 to 2008, then captured five in a row between 2010 and 2014. He again dominated from 2017 to 2020, before winning his final Roland Garros crown in 2022 at age 36. With 14 titles, he is by far the most decorated champion in the tournament’s history—six ahead of Max Decugis, the next closest competitor.