Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports.

When will Rafael Nadal be Honored at Roland Garros? French Open 2025 Nadal-Special Ceremony, Date, Time, Venue and More

Nadal will be honoured two days after the 20th anniversary of his first match at Roland-Garros.

Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports.

The 2025 French Open will be incomplete this year without clay court’s biggest magician, Rafael Nadal, who won an unprecedented 14 Roland-Garros men’s singles titles in his career. The Spaniard never lost a final in the French Open and left a huge legacy which will be remembered forever. He finished his career with an incredible 112-4 win-loss record at Roland-Garros.

World’s biggest clay-court competition is back with its 124th edition and the tournament will miss Rafael Nadal, who ruled the Roland-Garros more than a decade. To be honest, this year’s event will have a distinct feel without the king of clay, Rafael Nadal. It will be the first Ronald Garros tournament without Nadal since 2004.

Nadal will make one more appearance at French Open but occasion will be different. Roland-Garros will honor Rafael Nadal ahead of the 2025 edition. Let’s get to know everything about the event.

Also Read: Roland Garros 2025 Men’s and Women’s Prize Money: All You Need to Know

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Rafael Nadal to be Honored at Roland Garros on its Opening Day

Rafael Nadal will make a special appearance at the Stade Roland Garros 2025 as the 22-time major champion will be honoured on the opening day of the event. Here’s the complete details of the ceremony:

Date: Sunday, 25 May
Time: To kick-off after the three matches of the day session (After the currently ongoing Lorenzo Musetti vs. Yannick Hanfman Match)
Venue: Court Philippe-Chatrier, Paris

Nadal will be honoured two days after the 20th anniversary of his first match at Roland-Garros. In last 20 years, he missed out the title glory only six times. He won 14 singles’ title at his cherished Court Philippe-Chatrier. He last competed here during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“He will not be playing this year at Roland Garros, but he will be very present by our side for this 2025 edition,” said Ronald Garros tournament director and Olympic silver medallist Amélie Mauresmo. “Rafa has an important bond with Roland Garros; we want it to be a surprise.”

Rafa Nadal will be honored with a special ceremony at Roland Garros on Sunday, May 25.

The ceremony will take place on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The place where he created untouchable history.

Can’t wait for this. 🥹👑

🇪🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/6jhhScbVLg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 17, 2025

RAFAEL NADAL TO BE HONOURED

A ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 25 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, after the three matches of the day session.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) April 17, 2025

“Rafa has marked the history of the tournament with his 14 titles which will perhaps remain unequalled. A celebration will be organised on Sunday, May 25 on the Philippe-Chatrier court in honor of the man who lifted 14 Coupes des Mousquetaires. For his first season off the courts, a ceremony is planned at the end of the three matches of the day session. An exhibition with an immersive and fun journey will also be dedicated to the champion throughout the tournament at the Tenniseum. He will not be a player this year at Roland-Garros, but he will be very present at our side for this 2025 edition,” said Tournament Director Amelie Mauresmo during a press conference.

Rafael Nadal appeared in the French Open final 14 times and won all of them. The Spaniard was never taken to five sets in the final. Across all 116 of his matches, Nadal was taken to a fifth set on only three occasions. The 22-time grand slam winner won the French Open without losing a set on a record four occasions: in 2008, 2010, 2017, and 2020.

Also Read: Roland Garros 2025 Prize Money Stakes Raised to Record $63.7M Purse; $2.9M to Champion

French Open will celebrate the iconic journey of 14-time Roland-Garros champion through out the tournament and ceremony will give fans another way of revisiting those moments. Nadal announced retirement last November after his final professional match. Last year, the 38-year-old made his final French Open appearance as a player when he retired due to injury in the first-round game.

Apart form Nadal, the tournament will also pay tributes to Mary Pierce and Richard Gasquet. The former won both the singles and doubles title 25 years ago. The Frenchwoman will be honoured on Center Court between the two women’s semifinals on June 5. She will also be presented with a famous ring for her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019. On the other hand, Gasquet, who earned the wildcard entry for the current edition, will retire after French Open. The French ace will play his 22nd Roland Garros.

Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports.

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.