Gilles Moretton, President of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), has announced plans to honor Rafael Nadal with a special tribute during the 2025 Roland Garros tournament. This ceremony aims to celebrate Nadal’s remarkable contributions to tennis, particularly his unparalleled success at the French Open, where he secured 14 titles.
In a recent interview with Europe 1 radio, Moretton emphasized the importance of this tribute, stating, “There will, necessarily, be something for Rafael Nadal, a real tribute; very important. We are attached to it.” He acknowledged that the tribute at the 2024 Davis Cup did not fully reflect Nadal’s legacy, noting, “The [Davis Cup] tribute was not really the one that we had to pay him.” citeturn0search1
Moretton further revealed that he and tournament director Amélie Mauresmo visited Nadal at his home in early December to discuss the tribute and future collaborations. He hinted at the possibility of Nadal taking on an ambassadorial role with the tournament, stating, “We will give the outlines in some time of this role of ambassador that he can hold with us. The two ‘brands’, Rafael Nadal and Roland-Garros, are one and the same.” citeturn0search1
Nadal’s retirement in late 2024 marked the end of an era for tennis, especially at Roland Garros, where he dominated the clay courts for nearly two decades. His final match at the French Open in 2024 ended in a first-round defeat to Alexander Zverev, and he officially retired during the Davis Cup Finals in November 2024. citeturn0search3
The FFT’s plans to honor Nadal at the 2025 Roland Garros reflect a commitment to celebrating his legacy and contributions to the sport. While specific details of the tribute are yet to be revealed, Moretton’s statements indicate a significant and meaningful recognition of Nadal’s impact on tennis.
As the 2025 French Open approaches, fans and the tennis community eagerly anticipate the tribute to Nadal, who remains a beloved figure in the sport. The upcoming ceremony at Roland Garros is expected to be a highlight of the tournament, honoring a player whose name is synonymous with excellence on the clay courts of Paris.
