emirates7 - Rafael Nadal, the undisputed king of clay and 22-time Grand Slam champion—including a record 14 titles at Roland Garros—is making a return to the French Open, but not as a competitor. This time, the 38-year-old will lend his voice as the narrator for the tournament’s official teaser trailer.

Nadal, who retired in 2024 following his final appearance for Spain in the Davis Cup, had struggled with injuries for an extended period before stepping away from the game.

In the trailer, Nadal delivers a poetic monologue that celebrates the essence of Roland Garros:
“Only where love is written in capital letters, only the clay where champions fight, only the glide, the power, only the endurance until the night, only where tennis and everyone rhyme, only where hats fit all heads, only where the clay marks passion in red, only where rituals leave a trace, only a stage for courage and fire, only here where all dreams transpire, only at Roland-Garros.”

French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo shared plans for a tribute to honor Nadal’s legendary legacy in Paris.
“Rafa has left an incredible legacy at Roland Garros in so many ways,” Mauresmo said. “That’s why we’re planning a tribute ceremony to honor him. We want it to be unique and unforgettable—a surprise for everyone.”

She also revealed that an attempt was made to hold the tribute last year, but Nadal declined. “To be honest, we wanted to do it in 2024, but he wasn’t sure if that would be his final Roland Garros. Now that he’s officially retired, he’s happy to accept it.”