Roland Garros bids moving farewell to the 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal

Euronews

5 days ago

In an emotional tribute on Sunday afternoon, tennis legend Rafael Nadal was honoured during a ceremony at the Roland Garros tournament in Paris.
The record 14-time French Open winner, who officially retired in November, returned to the court not as a competitor but as a celebrated legend.
Greeted by thousands of fans wearing orange 'Merci Rafa' shirts, Nadal received a standing ovation as he stepped onto the clay one final time.
No longer in his signature headband or capri pants, the Spaniard arrived in a dark suit, visibly moved by the outpouring of affection.
As the crowd cheered, Nadal fought back tears, delivering a speech in French, English, and his native Spanish, as he reflected on two decades of triumphs, setbacks, and unforgettable memories at Roland Garros.
"I don't know where to start after playing on this court for the past 20 years. Winning, losing — but especially being moved every time I've had the chance to be here.'
Nadal retired with a staggering 112-4 record at the French Open and a flawless 14-0 record in finals, an achievement unmatched in the sport's history.
His impact on the sport was acknowledged not only by the crowd but also by fellow greats Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, who joined him on court in a powerful moment of solidarity. Once fierce rivals, the quartet known as the Big Four stood together in celebration, not competition.
'We showed the world that we can fight as hard as possible, but being good colleagues and respecting each other very well. And for me, it means a lot that you are all here,' Nadal said to his greatest rivals.
In keeping with his family values, Nadal thanked his longtime coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, along with his wife and young son.
His appreciation extended to fans and the French public, whom he credited with making him feel at home throughout his career.
'Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris. You have given me emotions and moments I could never have imagined. You can never know how gratifying it is to be appreciated in the place that matters most. ... You made me feel like a Frenchman,' Nadal said. 'I can no longer play in front of you anymore, but my heart and my memories will always be linked to this magical place.'
The tribute culminated in two lasting symbols of his legacy: a commemorative trophy and a newly installed plaque on the Philippe-Chatrier central court, engraved with his 14 titles and his shoe footprint -- a literal symbol of the mark he left on the sport and on the clay of Roland Garros.
The second round of the Polish presidential election is set to be tight, with both candidates going head to head. Both Civic Coalition candidate Rafał Trzaskowski and Law and Justice or PiS party-backed candidate Karol Nawrocki argue that if they were to win, the entirety of Poland would win.
Tens of thousands of Poles from across the country took part in dueling patriotic marches in Warsaw on Sunday.
Banners and flags, not just only of Poland, but also of the European Union, flew at Trzaskowski's "Great Patriots March."
"We are from a small village, from Kokoszkowe near Starogard Gdański, and we got up at six in the morning. The journey went quickly for us. Of course we [voted] for Rafał Trzaskowski. Otherwise is simply unthinkable," one of the march attendees told Euronews.
"I support Trzaskowski, maybe not because I was his first voter, because I didn't vote for him in the first round, of course, but nevertheless, we need to mobilise," said a young man in the march, for whom this is the first presidential election in which he can vote.
Meanwhile, people at the "March for Poland" supporting Nawrocki stressed the importance of traditional values.
"I want Poland to be Poland, for me this is the basis," an attendee of the march told Euronews.
"We support right-wing views. First of all, freedom, sovereignty, defence of borders, defence of the Polish zloty. We are doing very well economically," another woman said while walking through the centre together with other Nawrocki supporters.
"We think that Poland with Mr. Karol [Nawrocki] will be safe. We don't want illegal immigrants. We want to feel safe," explained another woman who went to the march with her young children.
According to Donald Tusk, half a million people were present at the march in support of Trzaskowski. "There are half a million of us. I believe in you. I believe in Poland," the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform X.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the march in support of Nawrocki reported at least 100,000 people took part.
However, press agencies, including Associated Press, and local media reported a much lower attendance, claiming tens of thousands of Poles took part in both marches combined.
German police authorities did not provide information on the turnout at the marches.
The pro-European mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, took part in the "Great Patriots March," sending a strong symbol regarding his support of European values.
During his speech, Dan stressed that they share the same values and priorities. The President-elect said that countries cannot develop without a united European Union and that he believes in a strong Poland, and in a strong European Union.
He also assured that, as President of Romania, he would work closely with Rafał Trzaskowski and Donald Tusk.
On 13 May, in turn, nationalist Romanian presidential candidate George Simion came to Poland to support his opponent, the Law and Justice Party-backed Nawrocki.
The second round of the presidential election in Poland will take place on 1 June.