Tennis

French Open 2025: Rafael Nadal Tribute Is Scheduled

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wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Published17 Apr 2025

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2019 French Open - Rafael Nadal

Tennis fans are elated to learn that Rafael Nadal will grace the courts of Roland Garros next month.  While the 14-time champion will not be playing, the French Open has announced a tribute to Nadal scheduled for May 25.

Many were unsatisfied with Nadal’s ceremony following his last competitive match with the Spanish Davis Cup team last fall.  His coach, Carlos Moya, was among the critics.

The French Tennis Federation (FTF) has been working on this for months, so it is expected to be unique and appropriate for the man whose dominant and exceptional play shattered Roland Garros records.  He only lost four matches ever at the French Open, amassing a mind-boggling 112-4 win-loss record.

He already has a statue on the grounds, but some wonder if a court will be named after him.  The ceremony’s details are top secret. It is scheduled after the three-day matches on the main court, Philippe Chatrier.  Fans wonder if Carlos Alcaraz, the defending French Open champion, could play in the final day match on May 25 so that he would be on the premises for his idol’s ceremony.

Rafael Nadal: Future “French Open Ambassador”

The ceremony is just one element of how the FTF wants to keep Nadal close to the game and the tournament.  It has been reported that he will become a French Open Ambassador.  Though it is unclear what the role entails, fans hope it means he attends the French Open every year to fulfill his ambassador duties.  No one would argue if an annual legends exhibition match is thrown into the mix either.

Rafael Nadal lost his first-round match at the French Open last May. He was at the Paris Olympics, so he played at Roland Garros two times last year.  Both occasions were bittersweet, making it excellent news that the FTF has a ceremony forthcoming next month.

Nadal will turn 39 in June, and his wife is reportedly expecting their second child later this year.