Tennis
French Tennis Federation Says Partnership with Rafael Nadal At Roland Garros Is In The Works
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.
Get to know wendioliveros betterPublished22 Feb 2025
This was a no-brainer, but it is good to hear that French Tennis Federation (FTF) president Gilles Moretton has confirmed that talks have been held with the newly retired 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal about a long-term partnership with the acclaimed tournament.
Gilles Moretton Pres. of FFT says Rafael Nadal will have a ‘special’ ceremony at Roland Garros & will be an official RG ‘ambassador’.🐐
Thank you @rolandgarros for doing this. If @RafaelNadal can play in exho match it would be great for his fans around the globe.#rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/NclHOa4Yrr
— Madel Suravilla (@madel_suravilla) February 22, 2025
The details are not yet clear, but we know two things.
1. 2025 French Open Will Have Ceremony To Honor Rafael Nadal
Many tennis fans, and even Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya, expressed unhappiness with his retirement ceremony at Spain’s Davis Cup event last fall. They felt it was ill-prepared and inadequate for what Nadal gave to the sport.
Three years ago today, a statue of Rafael Nadal was unveiled at Roland Garros 😮 pic.twitter.com/uzYP1o7Hv4
— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) May 27, 2024
FTF is planning a more fitting ceremony for Nadal who already has a statue on the Roland Garros grounds.
2. Rafael Nadal Will Be A French Open Brand Ambassador
Most tennis fans look at Nadal and think about his mastery at the French Open. Nadal may not have to do much beyond being present at events because there are so many superhuman highlights on rewind in fans’ minds of his mastery at Roland Garros.
Nadal’s retirement was tough for fans so his presence and affiliation with the tournament he dominated for nearly two decades will be positive news for everyone.
🔴 Rafael Nadal will receive a BIG TRIBUTE at Roland-Garros
Gilles Moretton, President of the FFT, said this on @europe1 radio:
“There will definitely be something for Nadal, a real tribute, very important. We are attached to it.”
CAN’T WAIT 🥹 pic.twitter.com/iLGwlGwYY6
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) February 22, 2025
We are still three months away from the start of the tournament so there will be much more news about Nadal’s involvement as it gets closer. The French Open at Roland Garros runs from May 25 through June 8, 2025.
