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Rafa's Love Letter to Roland Garros
On the court where he built his legacy, Rafael Nadal delivered a deeply moving farewell that captured the heart of Roland Garros.
Struggling to find words, he reflected on 20 years of triumphs and heartbreaks, from his first visit in 2004, arriving on crutches, to finally playing at 18 against his childhood friend Richard Gasquet. Roland Garros became his proving ground, where he fought and grew alongside legends like Roger, Novak, and Andy, each rivalry pushing him to his limits.
But his speech wasn’t only about tennis. It was about the people - the staff and organizers who made the tournament special, the friends and sponsors who stood by him through everything, the coaches, trainers, and his trusted team who became family.
He reserved his deepest gratitude for those closest to him: his lifelong friends, his parents and family who kept him grounded, his two grandmothers who at 92 and 94 were abele to be present, and his wife, Maria, whom he called his “best companion in life.” With a trembling voice, he thanked her for her unwavering support, especially in the difficult recent months. And to his Uncle Toni - his first coach and mentor - he said simply, “You’re the reason I’m here.”
Finally, he turned to the crowd that had embraced him for two decades:
“I may not play in front of you again, but my heart and memories will always be tied to this magical place and its people. Merci, Paris. Merci, la France.
"However great your dedication, you never win anything on your own."
Rafael Nadal
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