Feelings were running high at Roland Garros when tennis great Rafael Nadal was treated to a heartfelt tribute that reduced the player and the spectators alike to a point of visible tears.
As Nadal sat on the sidelines, a commemorative video montage played on the big screens, documenting his extraordinary career at the French Open.
With 14 titles at Roland Garros — a record — Nadal has become synonymous with clay court dominance. The tribute featured unforgettable highlights from his two-decade-long career: his teenage triumph in 2005, his battles against Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, and the raw emotion of his most recent victories.
In an instant that sent shivers down the spines of all those who were there — and of all those others who were watching on television across the globe — the French crowd started to sing to Nadal.
It was not a chant; it was a chorus of appreciation for the decade of passion and love for tennis that Nadal has brought to the sport.
Overwhelmed visibly, Rafael Nadal attempted to stifle tears as he waved to spectators, resting a hand on his heart.
While his intensity and focus on court are what made him famous, this vulnerable side of Nadal reminded spectators why he’s adored long beyond his victories and Grand Slam achievements.
As expected, the Videos went viral on social media, as fans everywhere shared the moment with such captions as, “Hard to not get chills watching this,” and “The King of Clay deserves every bit of this love.”
Even veteran commentators conceded they had never witnessed such an emotional reaction from players and spectators alike at a Grand Slam ceremony.
