Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is set to be honoured at the 2025 edition of the French Open tournament for his record-breaking achievements at Roland Garros.
Nadal won a total of 22 Grand Slam titles with a record 14 French Open titles before retiring in November 2024.
The 38-year-old also has a remarkable win-loss record at Roland Garros which reads 112-4, winning his last French Open title in 2022.
No other player has won as many singles titles at one Grand Slam event as Nadal at the French Open.
The organisers of the tournament confirmed on Thursday that Nadal will be honoured with a ceremony at the Philippe-Chatrier Court on the opening Sunday, May 25, after the day’s matches have been completed.
The president of the French Tennis Federation, Gilles Moretton also revealed plans for Nadal to take up an ambassadorial role at Roland Garros.
He said, “Here we announce something that seemed a priority to us, to first pay tribute to Rafael Nadal.
“It’s a love story. I think it’s important to talk about a love story because he has deep respect for the tournament, for clay, and we have the same respect for the player, for the ambassador he can become for Roland Garros and for the federation.”
Nadal suffered a first round 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 defeat to Alexander Zverev in his last appearance at the French Open in 2024.
Zverev became only the third player, along with Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic (twice) to beat Nadal in the tournament.
The tournament director, Amelie Mauresmo also confirmed that the tribute plans have been kept under wraps to surprise the legendary tennis player.
He said: “Rafa has of course marked the history of Roland Garros in many different ways and his 14 titles will perhaps remain unequalled in a Grand Slam tournament.
“He will not be playing this year at Roland Garros, but he will be very present by our side for this 2025 edition.
“Rafa has an important bond with Roland Garros. We want it to be a surprise.”
Nadal won major singles titles in 10 consecutive years from 2005 to 2014, and again in a four-year span from 2017 to 2020.
He also won 11 doubles titles during his career, including an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
He won two Olympic gold medals, and led Spain to five Davis Cup titles.
The prize money for the 2025 edition of the tournament has increased by just over five per cent to €56.3m.
