Rafael Nadal’s emotional tribute on Sunday at Roland Garros, where the 14-time champion was presented with a series of parting gifts, is sure to leave a lasting imprint.
One of those was the unveiling of a plaque on Court Philippe-Chatrier displaying Nadal’s footprint etched into the clay he ruled for nearly two decades.
“I didn't know anything about the ceremony. [The] only thing that I knew before going there was going to be a video when I go on, then my speech, and then a couple of surprises,” said Nadal when asked of the plaque. “They didn't want me to know that. Then when I saw [it], I thought it was going to be just for this year. Knowing that's going to be forever there, it's a present that I can't describe in words.
“But for me it was and it is and it's always going to be a huge honour and very, very emotional to have this spot on the most important court of my tennis career, without a doubt. It's difficult to describe the feeling, but it's something that really touched me. [It was] very, very special.”
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That court, so often the stage for Nadal’s dominance, became the stage for a different kind of celebration. It was one of character, not competition, and among the surprises was the presence of three of Nadal’s fiercest yet most respected Lexus ATP Head2Head rivals.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who together with Nadal have forged one of the greatest eras of sport, arrived to give the Spaniard the send-off he deserved.
“To have my three biggest rivals there on the court with me meant a lot, and at the same time it's a great message for the world: That the best rivals, toughest rivalries probably in the history of our sport are able to be good colleagues, to respect each other,” said Nadal.
“You don't need to hate the opponent to try to beat him with all your forces. And that's the message that I think we showed people, we showed the new generations, and in some way that's our legacy. The results are there, but at the same time the results are just results.”
The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Nadal retired last November after a career in which he won 22 Grand Slam titles. Yet the 38-year-old hasn’t had trouble spending some time away from the court.
“I didn't [touch] a racquet yet after my retirement,” said Nadal. “It's eight months without being on a tennis court, but I will. I will be back at some point, because at some point I will prepare myself to play an exhibition or something like this. Even if I had a lot of opportunities, I need to give myself a time of disconnection.
“My daily routine is no routine. I have no routine today. I am just learning about the next business chapter of my life that I have. I have projects, I take care of my foundation, and I take care of my family. I am discovering what really motivates me for this new life. So it's not easy in terms of choosing your next goal. But for me, it's so important to have goals in this life, because a life without objectives is more difficult from my point of view.
“I am discovering what really excites me and motivates me to keep going. And that's all. I am having fun. I don't miss much tennis, because I feel that I gave it all I had. I arrive at the day of today with the peace that I can't be on court. My body doesn't allow me to be on court. So that's all, I am [at] peace. I did all that I could to have the best career possible, and now I am enjoying this new phase of my life.”
For a player whose greatness was built on relentless work and grounded humility, the plaque carries a symbolism far beyond the physical. Reflecting on the honour, Nadal offered a rare glimpse into the mindset that helped him become a generational icon.
“It's impossible to describe in words what [it means] for me to have this space in the most important court in my life,” said Nadal, who ended his career with a 112-4 Roland Garros record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. “My gratitude to the people who made that happen is infinite. And 20 years ago I was thinking about the next practice. I was thinking about my next tournament, and I never thought about becoming one of the best players of all time or winning Grand Slams or all this stuff.
“I just worried about trying to improve every single day. I felt that way during all my career. Step by step, that's why I was able to build my career, this successful career. Because I always had doubts, and I never considered myself that good. And that's the truth."
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