Djokovic Gets Emotional: Nadal’s Farewell at Roland Garros Will Be ‘Very Special’

May 25, 2025: Tennis fans are in for an emotional moment as Novak Djokovic has confirmed that Roger Federer and Andy Murray will join him in a special tribute to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. The ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, May 25, marks an official farewell to the 14-time French Open champion who retired from professional tennis last year.

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The “Big Four” – Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, and Murray – will reunite for the first time since the unforgettable 2022 Laver Cup, where Federer’s tearful farewell left a lasting impression on fans and players alike. Nadal’s retirement has echoed similar emotions within the sport, and the French Open plans to honour his legacy with a heartfelt ceremony at the venue where he made history.

Speaking after his victory at the Geneva Open, Djokovic expressed the emotional weight of the upcoming moment. “It will be a very special, very emotional moment for everyone. Along with Federer and Murray, we will be there for the ceremony. It will be a beautiful moment,” he said.

Djokovic also admitted that Nadal’s retirement deeply affected his motivation on the court. “Yes, it was hard to stay motivated without him. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be like this. A part of me left with him, and it was a challenge to get my motivation back,” he shared.

“When Rafa quit, I felt something I’d never felt before. I thought, ‘What do I do now?’ There was a bit of that, especially on the court, where I felt flat,” Djokovic added.

Rafael Nadal, known as the “King of Clay,” has been synonymous with Roland Garros, having won 14 titles at the French Open — a record that may never be matched. Though initially uncertain about a tribute, Nadal ultimately agreed to the ceremony, giving fans a chance to bid farewell on the court that defined much of his legendary career.

In the meantime, Aryna Sabalenka is set to kick off her French Open campaign on the same day, but all eyes will undoubtedly be on the Centre Court tribute — a historic gathering of legends that celebrates one of the greatest careers in tennis history.