‘An inspiration for me’ – Aryna Sabalenka pays tribute to Rafael Nadal ahead of special ceremony at French Open
On May 25, 2025, as the French Open kicked off at Roland Garros, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka paid an emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal, calling him “an inspiration for me” ahead of a special ceremony honoring the 14-time champion on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The event, set for the opening day’s evening session, celebrates Nadal’s 112-4 record and 22 Grand Slam titles, following his retirement in November 2024 (ESPN, Apr 17, 2025). Sabalenka’s words, echoing the pressures faced by athletes like Jack Grealish, underscore Nadal’s enduring impact (The Irish Sun, May 25, 2025).
Sabalenka, fresh off a 6-2, 6-3 win over Kamilla Rakhimova, spoke to Marion Bartoli on court: “Whenever someone asks me about Rafa, I think of a hard worker. He’s such an inspiration to young players” (BBC Sport, May 25, 2025). She expressed her intent to attend the ceremony, hoping to ask Nadal for advice on winning Roland Garros, a title she covets but has yet to claim (Tennis.com, May 25, 2025). Her admiration, first voiced in October 2024 when Nadal announced his retirement, highlighted his “love for the sport” (beIN SPORTS, Oct 10, 2024).
Nadal’s tribute, a “surprise” orchestrated by tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, follows his 2024 first-round loss to Alexander Zverev and a lackluster Davis Cup farewell (The Athletic, Apr 21, 2025). Iga Swiatek, another Nadal fan, plans to attend but warned, “I’m going to cry,” prioritizing her match prep (The Washington Post, May 25, 2025). X posts, like @TennisFanatic’s “Sabalenka’s love for Rafa is everything,” reflect fan sentiment (X, May 25, 2025).
Sabalenka’s clay success, including her 2025 Madrid Open title, positions her as a contender, yet she faces Swiatek’s dominance (The New York Times, May 23, 2025). Her tribute to Nadal, like Grealish’s career crossroads, highlights resilience amid scrutiny, making the ceremony a poignant moment for tennis (The Irish Sun).
