History of Rafael Nadal in Timeline

Rafael Nadal, a Spanish former professional tennis player, achieved the world No. 1 ranking for 209 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. He secured 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles, encompassing 22 major titles, 36 Masters titles, and an Olympic gold medal. Nadal is one of only three men to achieve a career Golden Slam in singles. His 81 consecutive wins on clay represents the longest single-surface win streak in the Open Era, marking him as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1914: Anthony Wilding wins Monte Carlo

In 1914, Anthony Wilding became the first player to win four consecutive titles at Monte Carlo.

1966: Manuel Santana at Wimbledon Final

In 1966, Manuel Santana became the first Spanish man to reach the Wimbledon final.

1969: Rod Laver wins majors

In 1969, Rod Laver became the first to win French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the same year.

1983: Mats Wilander's Teenage Season Record

In 1983, Mats Wilander set a record of nine wins during his teenage season.

1984: Wimbledon

At Wimbledon Nadal reached the third round to become the youngest man to do so since Boris Becker in 1984.

June 1986: Rafael Nadal Born

In June 1986, Rafael Nadal Parera was born in Manacor on the island of Mallorca, Spain.

1990: Coached by Toni Nadal

From 1990, Rafael Nadal was coached by his uncle Toni Nadal, who focused on developing an all-round aggressive game.

1990: Pete Sampras Won US Open

In 2005, Nadal became the first male teenager to win a major singles title since Pete Sampras won the 1990 US Open at age 19.

1991: Jim Courier wins singles and doubles at Masters Series

In 1991, Jim Courier won the singles and doubles titles at a Masters Series event.

1994: Andre Agassi ranked No. 2

In 1994, Andre Agassi finished the year ranked No. 2.

1997: Jamie Murray

In 1997, Nadal competed against Jamie Murray.

1997: Spanish Junior Championships

In 1997, Nadal won the Spanish junior championships, beating Ricardo Villacorta.

February 1998: Open Super 12 Win

In February 1998, Nadal competed outside Spain for the first time and won the Open Super 12, an unofficial world championship for U12 players in Auray, beating Jamie Murray in the final. This victory helped him decide to focus on tennis.

1998: Spanish Junior Championships

In 1998, Nadal won the Spanish junior championships, beating Marcel Granollers.

1999: Training at Balearic Islands Training Centre

In 1999, Rafael Nadal began attending the Balearic Islands training centre in Palma.

1999: Federer's Bagel

In 1999, Roger Federer received his first bagel since 1999 in the French Open final against Rafael Nadal.

1999: ETA Junior Tour

In 1999, the 12-year-old Nadal was playing in the U14 circuit of the ETA Junior Tour (now the Tennis Europe Junior Tour), winning the Tim Essonne, and finishing the year at No. 69.

2000: Domination of U14 Circuit

In 2000, Nadal dominated the U14 circuit, winning Les Petits As in Tarbes, beating Julien Gely in the final, and the European Junior Masters in Prato. He also won the Sport Goofy Trophy and the U14 Spanish championships, and the ITF World Junior Championship.

2000: Turning Down Tennis Scholarship

In 2000, Nadal's family turned down a tennis scholarship in Barcelona, prioritizing his education and training at home. He was already practicing with Carlos Moyá and beat him in an exhibition match. Nadal's father covered the costs due to less financial support from the federation.

May 2001: Exhibition Match Win

In May 2001, aged 14, Nadal defeated former Grand Slam tournament champion Pat Cash in a clay-court exhibition match.

September 2001: Pro Debut

On 11 September 2001, Nadal made his pro debut in the main draw at the Futures in Madrid, losing to Guillermo Platel-Varas. He received a wild card into the main draw of the Challenger in Seville, where he claimed his first pro win against Israel Matos Gil.

2001: Turned Professional

At the beginning of 2001, Nadal turned professional at the age of 14. He reached the semi-finals of the junior singles event at Wimbledon and helped Spain defeat the US in the final of the Junior Davis Cup.

2001: Federer's First Five-Set Match at Wimbledon Since 2001

In 2001, Roger Federer played his first five-set match at Wimbledon since 2001.

2002: French Open Champion

Albert Costa was the 2002 French Open Champion

2002: First ATP Win

In 2002, Nadal, ranked No. 762, received a wild card to the ATP 250 event on his home island of Mallorca. On April 29, Nadal won his first ATP match by defeating No. 81 Ramón Delgado, becoming the ninth player in the Open Era to do so before the age of 16. He reached the semi-finals at junior Wimbledon and won six Futures events from July to December. Nadal ended 2002 as the world No. 199.

2002: Serena and Venus Williams Consecutive Major Finals

In 2002, Serena and Venus Williams started a streak of four consecutive major singles finals against each other, ending at the 2003 Australian Open.

2003: Training at Balearic Islands Training Centre

In 2003, Rafael Nadal was training at Balearic Islands Training Centre with Toni Colom.

2003: Serena and Venus Williams Consecutive Major Finals

In 2003, Serena and Venus Williams ended a streak of four consecutive major singles finals against each other that started at the 2002 French Open.

2003: Asteroid Named After Nadal

In 2003, the asteroid 128036 Rafaelnadal was discovered and named after Rafael Nadal.

2003: Ascent in Early 2003

In early 2003, Nadal reached the finals of Challengers at Hamburg, Cherbourg and Cagliari, and winning at Barletta. He scored a total of 19 Challenger wins in the first three months of the season and found himself inside the Top 150. In 2003, he then qualified for his second career ATP event, the Monte Carlo Masters, where he beat Albert Costa. Nadal entered the world's top 100.

2004: Guillermo Coria

In 2005, Nadal defeated 2004 French Open runner-up Guillermo Coria in the finals of the 2005 Monte Carlo Masters and the 2005 Italian Open.

2004: Davis Cup Victory

In the 2004 Davis Cup final, 18-year-old Nadal beat world No. 2 Andy Roddick on clay in Spain, helping his nation clinch the title over the United States. He became the youngest player to register a singles victory in a Davis Cup final for a winning nation. Nadal finished the year ranked No. 51.

April 2005: Consecutive Top 10 ATP Ranking

From April 2005, Rafael Nadal appeared in the Top 10 of the ATP rankings consecutively for a record-breaking 912 weeks.

July 2005: First Time Outside Top Two Since July 2005

After losing in the quarterfinals to del Potro at Montreal, Nadal dropped outside the top two for the first time since July 2005.

July 2005: Ascension to No. 2 in ATP Rankings

In July 2005, Rafael Nadal ascended to the No. 2 ranking on the ATP Tour.

July 2005: Reaching No. 2 in the world rankings

In July 2005, Rafael Nadal reached the world No. 2 ranking after winning the Canada Masters, marking the first hardcourt title of his career. He remained at this position for the next three years, trailing behind Roger Federer.

2005: Doubles Title and Australian Open

2005 started with a doubles title alongside Albert Costa at the Qatar Open, defeating Andrei Pavel and Mikhail Youzhny in the final. At the 2005 Australian Open, Nadal lost in the fourth round to Lleyton Hewitt.

2005: Departure from Balearic School

After 2005, Rafael Nadal left the structure of the Balearic School and created his own team.

2005: Major Singles Titles

From 2005 Nadal won major singles titles in 10 consecutive years.

2005: Carlos Costa as Nadal's Agent

From 2005, Carlos Costa served as Rafael Nadal's agent.

2005: Beginning of Major Title Wins with Toni

From 2005, Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal won 16 major titles together.

2005: Domination of Spring Clay-Court Season

In 2005, Nadal dominated the spring clay-court season, winning 24 consecutive singles matches and breaking Andre Agassi's Open Era record for a male teenager. He won the Torneo Conde de Godó in Barcelona, the Monte Carlo Masters, and the Italian Open, raising his ranking to world No. 5. On his 19th birthday, Nadal defeated Federer in the French Open semi-finals and then defeated Mariano Puerta in the final, becoming the second man to win the French Open on his first attempt. His ranking rose to No. 3.

2005: Failing to Pass the Second Round of a Grand Slam Since 2005 Wimbledon

In 2005, Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon first time failed to pass the second round of a Grand Slam.

2005: Wins China Open and Madrid Masters

In 2005, Rafael Nadal defeated Guillermo Coria in the final of the China Open in Beijing and won both of his Davis Cup matches against Italy. He also secured his fourth Masters title of the year at the 2005 Madrid Masters against Ivan Ljubičić, marking his biggest indoor title.

2005: First Major Title at French Open

In 2005, Rafael Nadal won his first major title at the French Open, marking him as one of the most successful teenagers in ATP Tour history. He reached No. 2 in the world and secured 16 titles before turning 20.

2005: Out of Top 4 Since 2005

Rafael Nadal withdrew from Australian Open with a stomach virus and dropped out of the ATP Top 4 for the first time since 2005.

2005: Clay Record

Since 2005, Rafael Nadal has a clay record of 150-4.

2006: Frequent Final Appearances Begin

From 2006, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played in every French Open and Wimbledon final for three consecutive years.

2006: Formation of core team

From 2006, Rafael Nadal worked with the same team consisting of family and professional staff.

2006: Hiring of Communications Director

In 2006, Carlos Costa and Nadal's father convinced Benito Pérez Barbadillo to become Nadal's communications director.

2006: Partnership with Kia Motors

Since 2006, Nadal has been sponsored by Kia Motors and appeared in their advertising campaigns as a global ambassador.

November 2007: Launch of Fundación Rafa Nadal

In November 2007, Nadal launched the nonprofit Fundación Rafa Nadal to help disadvantaged children and teenagers through sports. His wife, María Perelló, is the director.

2007: First Defeat Since 2007 Final

At Wimbledon, in the final against Novak Djokovic, the 20-match winning streak ended and marked Nadal's first defeat at Wimbledon since the 2007 final.

2007: Five-Set Match at Wimbledon

In 2007, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played a five-set match at Wimbledon.

2007: Defeat at the US Open and Knee Injury

In 2007, Rafael Nadal was defeated in the fourth round of the US Open by David Ferrer while dealing with a knee injury. Earlier in July 2007, Nadal beat Stan Wawrinka in the final of the clay-court Stuttgart Open and was a semi-finalist in Montreal before losing his first match at the Cincinnati Open.

2007: Interaction with Fans During Training

In 2007, Rafael Nadal would interrupt his training sessions on public courts in Manacor to hit balls with fans and tourists.

2007: Loss to Federer

Rafael Nadal's loss in 2007 Tennis Masters Cup against Roger Federer.

December 2008: "Friends of Iker v Friends of Rafa" Charity Sports Event

In December 2008, Nadal and Casillas staged a "Friends of Iker v Friends of Rafa" charity sports event, including an indoor football match, a tennis match, and a go-kart race.

2008: First Wimbledon Win

In 2008, Nadal became the world No. 1 for the first time after defeating Roger Federer in an historic Wimbledon final, which was his first major championship off clay. He also won an Olympic singles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

May 2009: First Loss at the French Open

On May 31, 2009, Rafael Nadal experienced his first-ever loss at the French Open against Robin Söderling in the fourth round, ending his streak of consecutive victories. This defeat shocked many, as Nadal had been dominant at the tournament.

June 2009: Parents' Separation

In June 2009, reports emerged that Nadal's parents, Ana María and Sebastián, had separated, which Nadal stated had an important impact on his life.

July 2009: Drops to No. 2 Ranking

On July 6, 2009, Rafael Nadal dropped back to the No. 2 ranking, with Roger Federer reclaiming the top spot.

August 2009: End of Top Two Ranking Streak

In August 2009, the Nadal-Federer duo's streak of holding the top two rankings on the ATP Tour ended.

2009: Nike's Redesign for Nadal

For the 2009 season, Rafael Nadal adopted more-traditional on-court apparel, with Nike redesigning his look to reflect his status as the sport's top player, including a polo shirt and shorts.

2009: Australian Open Final Appearance

In 2009, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met in the title match of the Australian Open.

2009: Rivalry Ranked Third Greatest

In 2009, the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry was listed as the third greatest of the previous 10 years by ATPworldtour.com.

2009: Madrid Masters Semifinal

The 2009 Madrid Masters semifinal match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is considered among the greatest in tennis history by analysts.

July 2010: Shareholder of RCD Mallorca

In July 2010, Rafael Nadal became a shareholder of RCD Mallorca (owning 10%). He rejected the role of vice president, and his uncle Miguel Ángel Nadal became assistant coach.

2010: Sampras' Statement on Nadal's Longevity

After Nadal's 2010 US Open win, Pete Sampras questioned how much his body could handle the pounding, though this narrative later proved inaccurate.

2010: Service Motion Alteration

Before the 2010 US Open, Rafael Nadal altered his service motion, increasing his average speed.

2010: Carlos Moya's Statement on Nadal

In 2010, Carlos Moya stated that Nadal was 'one of the greatest ever' and on his way to becoming the greatest.

2010: Career Grand Slam

In 2010, Nadal defeated Djokovic in the US Open final, becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to achieve the career Grand Slam at 24, and the first man to win majors on three different surfaces in the same year.

2010: Charity Events Participation

In 2010, Nadal participated in several charity events including Hit for Haiti during the Australian Open, a charity exhibition during the Indian Wells Open and played against Roger Federer in the Match for Africa exhibitions to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims.

2010: Racquet and Strings Changes

In 2010, Nadal's racquets were painted to resemble the Babolat AeroPro Drive with Cortex GT racquet to market the current model sold by Babolat. Also, Nadal switched from Duralast 15L strings to Babolat's new RPM Blast string in 2010.

2010: Allowed in Spanish National Team Locker Room After FIFA World Cup Victory

In 2010, Nadal, as a fervent supporter of the Spanish national team, was one of six people not affiliated with the team or the national federation allowed to enter the team's locker room following Spain's victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

2010: Best Year

In 2010, Rafael Nadal called 2010 his best year, with Djokovic saying that Nadal had "the capabilities already to become the best player ever", and that "he has the game now for each surface, and he has won each major. He has proven to the world that he is the best in this moment".

2010: BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year

In 2010, Rafael Nadal was named the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.

2010: US Open Victory and Career Grand Slam

In 2010, at the US Open, Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in four sets, achieving the career Grand Slam.

2010: Partnership with Richard Mille

In 2010, luxury watchmaker Richard Mille announced that they had developed an ultra-light wristwatch in collaboration with Rafael Nadal.

2011: Face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans

In 2011, Nadal became the face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans for their spring/summer collection, marking the first time the label chose a tennis player for this role.

2011: Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award

In 2011, Nadal was awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award. He also supports other charities like City Harvest, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and Small Steps Project.

2011: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

In 2011, Nadal won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

2011: Publication of Autobiography

In 2011, Nadal's autobiography, titled Rafa, co-written with John Carlin, was published.

Rafa

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2011: Consecutive Major Finals

In 2011, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic contested four consecutive major finals, with Djokovic winning at Wimbledon and the US Open.

2011: French Open Final Appearance

In 2011, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met in the title match of the French Open.

2011: Pushed to Five Sets

In 2011, Rafael Nadal pushed to five sets against John Isner in the first round.

2011: Davis Cup Win and Finals Losses

In March 2011, Rafael Nadal helped Spain defeat Belgium in a Davis Cup tie. He also reached the finals at Indian Wells and Miami, but lost to Novak Djokovic in three sets.

2011: Autobiography Released

In his 2011 autobiography, Nadal admitted fearing his uncle Toni and dreading solo practice sessions with him, revealing he sometimes returned home from tennis lessons crying.

2011: Miami Masters Final

The 2011 Miami Masters final match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is considered among the greatest in tennis history by analysts.

June 2012: Joins PokerStars as Sports Endorser

In June 2012, Nadal joined the group of sports endorsers for the PokerStars online poker cardroom.

2012: Purchase of House in Porto Cristo

In 2012, Nadal purchased a house in Porto Cristo for about 4 million euros, located near his family home.

2012: Season Ends Early Due to Tendinitis

In 2012, Rafael Nadal ended his season early due to tendinitis in his knee and was ranked No. 4, the first time in eight years he was not ranked 1st or 2nd at the end of the year.

2012: Most French Open Titles

In 2012, Rafael Nadal won his seventh French Open title, surpassing Björn Borg to become the most successful male player at the tournament. He lost only three sets during the clay court season.

2012: Physical Therapy and PRP Treatment

In late 2012, Nadal received over six months of physical therapy, along with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for his chronic knee injuries.

2012: Australian Open Final

The 2012 Australian Open final match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is considered among the greatest in tennis history by analysts.

2013: Rivalry at Monte Carlo and French Open

In 2013, Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal at Monte Carlo, ending Nadal's record streak. Nadal then earned revenge in the French Open semifinals. Later that year, Nadal defeated Djokovic in the US Open final to complete the Summer Slam.

2013: Breaking Records at the French Open

In 2013, Rafael Nadal secured his eighth French Open title, surpassing Guillermo Vilas and Roger Federer's record for the most match wins in the tournament with 59 victories. This marked his eight consecutive final since returning from injury.

2013: French Open Semifinal

The 2013 French Open semifinal match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is considered among the greatest in tennis history by analysts.

2014: Major Singles Titles

In 2014 Nadal won major singles titles in 10 consecutive years.

2014: Davis Cup, China Open, ATP Finals

In 2014, Nadal helped Spain secure a Davis Cup World Group place. In October, he reached the final of the China Open and regained the No. 1 ranking. In November, at the ATP Finals in London, he secured the year-end No. 1.

2014: Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes

In 2014, Rafael Nadal was ranked as one of the world's highest-paid athletes by Forbes magazine.

2014: Challenges and Setbacks

In 2014, Rafael Nadal was upset by Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon. He withdrew from the American swing due to a wrist injury and later suffered from appendicitis. He ended the season early to undergo surgery for his appendix.

2015: Water Bottle Ritual

During a match at the 2015 Australian Open, a ball boy restored Rafael Nadal's fallen water bottles to their upright position, with the labels facing the court, due to his well-known ritual.

2015: Loss at Clay-Court Semi-Final

In 2015 at the Rio Open, Nadal's streak of 52 consecutive wins in semi-final matches on clay ended.

December 2016: Hiring of Carlos Moyá as Coach

In December 2016, Rafael Nadal hired Carlos Moyá as his coach, leading to a more offensive game style.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Nadal won an Olympic gold medal at the Rio Olympics. He also won 11 doubles titles during his career.

2016: Spain's Flag Bearer at Rio Olympics

In 2016, Rafael Nadal carried the flag for Spain during the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games.

2016: Appearance in RedOne's "Don't You Need Somebody" Music Video

In 2016, Rafael Nadal was one of many celebrities who made an appearance in the music video for RedOne's song "Don't You Need Somebody".

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2017: End of Major Title Wins with Toni

From 2005 to 2017, Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal won 16 major titles together.

2017: Major Singles Titles

From 2017 Nadal won major singles titles in a four-year span.

2017: Australian Open Final Appearance

In 2017, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met in the title match of the Australian Open.

2017: End of Long-Term Team Collaboration

In 2017, Rafael Nadal ended the long-term collaboration with his core team.

2017: End of Toni Nadal Coaching

In 2017, Toni Nadal stopped coaching Rafael Nadal after coaching him since 1990.

2017: Partnership for the Rafa Nadal Academy

In 2017, the Australian tennis federation agreed to partner with Nadal's Academy, allowing their players to use it as their European training base.

October 2018: Response to Majorca Flood

In October 2018, during the Majorca flood, Nadal opened his tennis academy to victims and personally helped with cleanup efforts. He donated €1 million for rebuilding Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and organized the Olazábal & Nadal charity golf tournament.

2018: Featured in Mario Tennis Aces Ad

In 2018, Rafael Nadal was featured in a new advertisement for the tennis game Mario Tennis Aces.

2018: Wimbledon Semifinal

The 2018 Wimbledon semifinal match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is considered among the greatest in tennis history by analysts.

2019: Improvement on Serve

From 2019, several analysts praised Rafael Nadal's improvement on the serve, noting the increased speed.

2019: Muster's Statement on Nadal

In 2019, former world No. 1 Thomas Muster stated that Rafael Nadal is the best clay-court player ever.

2019: Longest Wimbledon Final

In 2019, the Wimbledon final became the longest final in Wimbledon history in terms of time on court, it was later surpassed.

October 2020: Participation in Balearic Golf Championship

In October 2020, Nadal competed in the professional-level Balearic Golf Championship, obtaining a World Amateur Golf Ranking.

2020: Major Singles Titles

In 2020 Nadal won major singles titles in a four-year span.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Efforts

In 2020, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadal joined Pau Gasol and the Red Cross to raise 11 million euros. The Fundación Rafa Nadal pledged to support the Food Bank of Mallorca, aiming to collect 3,000 kg of food.

2021: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

In 2021, Nadal won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

2021: Rafa Nadal Academy Series on Amazon Prime and Movistar

In 2021, a four-episode series about the Rafa Nadal Academy was aired on Amazon Prime and Movistar and was broadcast in 244 countries.

2021: Tribute at French Open

In 2021, before the tournament, the French Open paid tribute to Nadal by installing a statue at Stade Roland Garros, which was created by Spanish sculptor Jordi Díez Fernández.

2021: French Open Semifinal

The 2021 French Open semifinal match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is considered among the greatest in tennis history by analysts.

October 2022: Birth of Son Rafael

On 8 October 2022, Rafael Nadal and his wife María Perelló Pascual had a son named Rafael.

2022: Australian Open Win

In 2022, Nadal surpassed his joint-record with Djokovic and Federer for the most Grand Slam men's singles titles at the Australian Open, and became one of four men in history to complete the double career Grand Slam in singles.

2022: Best Match Ever at Madrid Open

In 2022, Nadal's semi-final match against Djokovic at the Madrid Open was voted the best match ever at the Madrid Open.

2022: Mueller-Weiss Syndrome and French Open Win

In 2022, Nadal, who has a rare chronic disorder of his left ankle called Mueller-Weiss syndrome (diagnosed at age 19), received anesthetic injections en route to winning the French Open.

2022: Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

In 2022, Rafael Nadal was named among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

August 2023: Brand Ambassador for Infosys

In August 2023, Rafael Nadal signed up as the brand ambassador for the Indian IT major Infosys.

2024: Promotion of Tennis in Saudi Arabia

As of 2024, Rafael Nadal will promote tennis in Saudi Arabia and open a Rafa Nadal Academy there.

2024: Appearance in Federer: Twelve Final Days Documentary

In 2024, Nadal appeared in the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days, which focused on Roger Federer's final tournament before retirement, the 2022 Laver Cup.

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2024: Retirement

In 2024, Nadal retired from the sport after playing for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals.

2024: Laureus Sport for Good Award

In 2024, The Rafa Nadal Foundation received the Laureus Sport for Good Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2024.

2025: Unveiling of Plaque at French Open

In 2025, on the first day of the French Open, a new plaque commemorating Rafael Nadal's 14 Roland Garros trophies was unveiled at the Court Philippe Chatrier stadium. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray were present to pay tribute.