Roger Federer shares his feelings on touching tribute to rival Rafa Nadal
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, May 25, 2025
Photo credit: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis for Getty
Ultimate warrior Rafael Nadal cast giant steps across Court Philippe Chatrier punishing opponents in the process.
Seeing his footprint embedded on Roland Garros’ center stage moved the 14-time French Open champion to tears.
In a touching tribute, Roland Garros celebrated Rafael Nadal’s brilliant career with one of the most emotional, dramatic and classy send-offs a Grand Slam has delivered to an iconic champion.
The tournament supplied celebratory “Merci, Rafa” t-shirts to fans creating a sea of salmon-colored subjects, including Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, embracing the King of Clay in loving and massive group hug on Court Philippe Chatrier. There were smiles, tears and emotional embraces throughout with Nadal himself standing alone behind a wooden podium delivering a moving thank you to all who were part of his wondrous ride.
Some of the most most moving moments came when Nadal thanked his family, when the tournament brought out the behind-the-scenes staffers, including his driver, who supported Nadal throughout his Roland Garros career, the unveiling of a white plaque bearing Nadal’s name, his 14 RG titles and footprint and when a video tribute from Big 4 rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray gave way to the trio walking out onto the crimson-colored stage to embrace an emotional Nadal.
Parting can be poignant—seeing the iconic Big 4 champions celebrate Nadal together, standing as one, was profoundly powerful, moving many fans to tears.
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Shortly after stepping off court, Federer told TNT’s Mary Joe Fernandez it was fitting closure for the clay court king—and his way of paying respect to his rival.
“Farewells are important when you have his level—he’s a giant of the game,” Federer told TNT’s Mary Joe Fernandez. “If we can add a little something by being here with Novak and Andy I think it’s a nice thing.
“I know it meant the world to me when I had my guys around [retiring at Laver Cup].
“It’s also good closure, respect from me personally for Rafa and his family and his team. We played so long and so hard against each other, I was not gonna miss it.”
For years, Nadal rampaged across Roland Garros’ red clay posting an absolutely astounding 137-3 career clay-court record in best-of-five-set matches. Federer said Nadal was moved when the tournament unveiled its eternal tribute: the white plaque embedded in the red clay bearing his name and record.
“It’s amazing how dominant he has been,” said Federer of his rival who sported a 6-0 record vs. the Swiss at Roland Garros. “I’m sure he got the plaque forever and I think it meant a lot to Rafa.
“So I’m honored I had a chance to play against Rafa on this court.”
The man who threw tremendous topspin drives across the terre battue showed the power of human touch today.
Recalling his own retirement ceremony at the 2022 Laver Cup when Federer and Nadal sat-side-by-side shedding tears, the Swiss Maestro said the Big 4 reuniting can serve as an example.
The fiercest rivals can come together in friendly celebration now that the major battles are done.
“I don’t know if some of the best of the best were as friendly as we were,” Federer told TNT’s Mary Joe Fernandez. “It’s nice to see me, Novak, Andy and Rafa [together]. “We all get along really well.
“You can put us in a room together and we can have a really nice time. But when it’s Go Time…we are going to go hard and do it fair.”
Three years ago, we saw bittersweet Fedal Farewell in London.
After Federer’s final doubles match alongside Nadal, Rafa and Roger sat side-by-side on the Team Europe bench, clasped hands and shared sobs.
In an interview with Radioestadio Noche, Nadal said seeing Federer get emotional moved him to tears.
It may well have prepared him for his rousing Roland Garros Au Revoir in Paris today.
“It was a difficult time because I didn’t want to cry either,” Nadal told Radioestadio Noche after Federer’s retirement. “It is a moment that he is already there and I am a sensitive person and at that moment seeing him so emotional made it very difficult for me.
“When you see someone you appreciate say goodbye it’s hard not to get emotional. It got a little out of hand, and the worst thing is that when I went to the room I just got emotional again.
“It was difficult for it not to happen because of everything that was lived that night.”
As an 18-year-old wearing pirate pants and a sleeveless shirt, Nadal unleashed snarling topspin conquering Mariano Puerta to capture his maiden Roland Garros crown back in 2005.
In a full-circle moment 20 years later, Nadal stood on the salmon stage and recalled hobbling up to the very top of Court Chatrier while on crutches as an injured 17-year-old while dreaming of one day competing on the court far below.
Two decades after daring to dream big, Nadal, clutching his young son in his arms, left the court with a joyful smile.
Tennis ultimate fighter played with passion and departed feeling the love from the faithful.
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