French Open Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal's Legacy on Opening Day
Source: news.source.inquirer
Retired tennis legend Rafael Nadal, who holds the record for the most French Open titles with 14 victories, will be honored with a special tribute ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier on May 25, the opening day of the tournament. The tribute, organized by the French Tennis Federation, aims to celebrate Nadal's significant impact on the history of the French Open. The ceremony will include a surprise element, and Nadal will also be featured in the tournament's museum and official trailer.
Key Points
Rafael Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion and 22-time Grand Slam winner, will be honored with a tribute ceremony at the French Open.
The tribute will take place on May 25, the opening day of the tournament, on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
French Open director Amélie Mauresmo and president of the French Tennis Federation Gilles Moretton emphasized the significance of Nadal's contributions to the tournament.
Nadal's last French Open appearance was in 2024, where he lost in the first round to Alexander Zverev.
The ceremony was initially planned for the previous year but was postponed at Nadal's request as he was unsure if it would be his last tournament.
Additional honors for Nadal include a statue at the tournament, an exhibition in the museum, and his voice in the official trailer.
The French Open will also feature a fan zone at Place de la Concorde, inspired by the success of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
