Rafael Nadal has deservedly been honoured today at the French Open, with the tournament hosting a special tribute celebration in his honour.
Returning to the site of so, so many triumphs, Philippe Chatrier played host to a sea of orange, from the clay courts to the clay-coloured t-shirts that were given to all those in attendance.
They wanted to make it as special as possible for the 14-time champion, who called time on a miraculous career just last year.
Plenty of tears were shed as he reflected on what was a truly legendary career, yet he managed to keep himself together in the YouTube interview he gave, published earlier in the day.
Rafael Nadal reflects on his best Roland Garros title win
Questioned about his past French Open triumphs, of which there are too many to recount, he was simply asked to name which was his favourite.
But, with 14 of them to choose from, he struggled at first.
Eventually settling on the 2006 title, he explained why that great battle with Roger Federer in the final meant so much to him.
The Spaniard told Roland Garros’ official YouTube channel: ‘Well, for me the most important one was 2006 because I came back from a very difficult injury on my foot. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play again at the level that I played later in my career. So, for me, the most emotional one was 2006.’
‘People talk a lot about the 2008 performance. It was good, it probably was maybe the year that I played better or I was at a different level than the rest of the players.
‘But the truth is that, even that year I remember the tournament because I played so well. It’s a year that, for me was not that emotional because the results have been more or less comfortable. From the internal side, I remember other years where things had been much more difficult.’
Ironically enough, his departure from the sport has sent shockwaves to some of his rivals. Djokovic claimed Nadal’s retirement saw him lose motivation somewhat, which takes some doing. His inspiration and impact remains unrivalled.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer shared some legendary battles
This 2006 final marks just one of the sprawling collection of legendary battles that Rafael Nadal and Federer shared on the court.
It is this red-hot rivalry which remained aflame until the latter’s eventual retirement in 2022 that undoubtedly forged the great respect and admiration they share for one another, blossoming into a friendship that the tennis world cherishes.
Other key clashes between them came in 2004; Nadal’s first win against the then-world number one in Miami.
Putting himself on the map, Federer was not to be overcome again in the same event the following year, and came back from 3-5 in the third set tie-break, just two points from defeat, to win the match and complete the Sunshine Double.
Another Federer win in 2017 cannot be ignored, when these two competed in what many argue was the greatest Grand Slam final of all time in Melbourne.
And last but not least, their match in 2008, with Wimbledon’s centre court playing host to potentially the best tennis match of all time. Nadal upset the defending champion, avenging last year’s loss in the final.
Truth be told, there are too many examples of great matches to even scratch the surface of their legendary rivalry.
