The 2025 French Open will honor Rafael Nadal with a grand tribute on May 25, marking his retirement and celebrating his unparalleled legacy at Roland Garros.
Nadal, who retired in November 2024 after representing Spain in the Davis Cup, holds the record with 14 French Open singles titles and an impressive 112–4 match record at the tournament.
The tribute, scheduled for the opening day of the tournament, will take place on Court Philippe-Chatrier following the day’s matches. Organizers have described it as a “never-before-seen” ceremony, designed in collaboration with Nadal himself, and aimed at reflecting his personality and achievements . In addition to the ceremony, an immersive exhibition dedicated to Nadal will be showcased at the Roland-Garros Tenniseum throughout the tournament.
Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo emphasized the importance of acknowledging past champions while also focusing on the future. The French Open announced an increased prize pool of €56.352 million, a 5.21% rise from the previous year, aligning with recent player demands for greater earnings at Grand Slams.
This tribute comes after a postponed ceremony in 2024, when Nadal requested to leave the door open for a potential return to Roland Garros. Now, as a retired player, he is set to receive the recognition he deserves for his legendary contributions to the sport.
The 2025 French Open will also honor other tennis legends, including Mary Pierce and Richard Gasquet, who will retire after this year’s event.
For fans worldwide, especially those in Ibadan, Nigeria, the opening day ceremony offers a unique opportunity to witness a historic moment in tennis. The event will be broadcast live, allowing viewers to celebrate Nadal’s legacy from anywhere.
