Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz joined thousands of fans in paying tribute to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, wearing special ‘Merci Rafa’ shirts during an emotional ceremony celebrating the Spanish legend’s legacy. The event, held on Court Philippe-Chatrier, marked Nadal’s farewell to the tournament where he won a record 14 titles, cementing his status as the greatest clay-court player in history.
Swiatek, a longtime admirer of Nadal, was visibly moved during the tribute, holding back tears as she watched the video montages highlighting his career. Alcaraz, who has often spoken about Nadal’s influence on his own journey, stood alongside fellow players and fans, showing his deep respect for the man who inspired generations.
The burnt-orange shirts worn by Swiatek, Alcaraz, and the crowd transformed the stadium into a living tribute to Nadal’s dominance on the clay courts of Paris. The ceremony also featured appearances from Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray, Nadal’s greatest rivals, who shared heartfelt messages about their battles and memories with him.
As Nadal bid farewell to Roland Garros, the tribute served as a reminder of his unparalleled impact on the sport. Swiatek and Alcaraz’s participation in the ceremony highlighted the admiration and gratitude felt by the next generation of tennis stars, ensuring that Nadal’s legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
LWWWWLWWWW Now the world no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 18th of May when he defeated world no.1 Jannik Sinner 7-6(5) 6-1 in the final in Rome to win his 20th career title.
During this season Alcaraz owns a composed 30-5 win-loss record. Carlos conquered 3 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo and Rome. Carlos got to the final in Barcelona.
Iga Swiatek in 2025
WLWLLWWLLW Currently ranked no.5, Swiatek played her last match on the 10th of May when she surrendered to world no.54 Danielle Collins 6-1 7-5 in the 3rd round in Rome (draw).
Currently, during this year Iga has a 27-9 match record. Iga Swiatek’s best accomplishment of the present season was getting to the final in Australia.
