3 days ago
Rafael Nadal Sends Message After French Open Final
Rafael Nadal Sends Message After French Open Final originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is the most accomplished man in Roland Garros history, and the "King of Clay" stamped the 2025 French Open men's singles final with a lasting message.
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Nadal, who won 14 French Open titles and at one point won 81 consecutive matches on clay, was honored at Roland Garros on May 25 as this year's major event began. The Spaniard was joined by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray as he received a loud ovation from the crowd in Paris.
He played his last match at Roland Garros alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the men's doubles tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games. On Sunday, it was No. 2 Alcaraz and No. 1 Jannik Sinner who carried on the legacy with an epic final that drew a response from Nadal on social media.
Carlos Alcaraz (left) and Rafael Nadal (right) at Roland Garros during the 2025 French Mullane-Imagn Images
Alcaraz fought off three championship points after falling into a 2-0 hole after the first two sets. The young Spaniard battled back to force a fifth set tiebreak, claiming his second consecutive French Open men's singles title.
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At 5 hours and 29 minutes, it made history as the longest final match in Roland Garros history. It was also the second-longest Grand Slam men's singles final, behind only Djokovic vs. Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open (5:53).
Congratulations from the "King of Clay" were in order after the incredible display from both athletes.
"What an incredible @rolandgarros final!" Nadal posted on X in Spanish. "Congratulations @carlosalcaraz!"
"Congrats also @janniksin for the great battle," he added in English in the same post.
Like Nadal, Alcaraz was quick to give kudos to his opponent after their historic battle.
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"I want to start with Jannik," Alcaraz said on the court after the win. "It is amazing the level you have... You are going to be champion not once, but many many times. It is a privilege to share the court with you."
Related: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner Make History in French Open Final
Related: Ben Shelton's Girlfriend Trinity Rodman Issues Strong Statement on Relationship Before French Open
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
