Rafael Nadal looked back on his most meaningful Roland Garros titles, highlighting both his very first crown and his most unexpected one—won more than a decade later. The 14-time French Open champion will be honoured this Sunday, 25 May, in a special ceremony following his retirement as the most successful player in the tournament's history.
The King of Clay is inseparable from Roland Garros. Nadal’s greatest triumphs have come on the Parisian clay, where he captured 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. No other player has ever dominated a single tournament in the history of tennis like the Spaniard did at one of the sport’s four majors.
The wild ride to his first Grand Slam
Nadal’s first title came in 2005, just two days after turning 19, when he defeated Argentine Mariano Puerta in the final. The former World No. 1 selected that first crown as one of the most special of his career. “2005 had been of course very special it's my first title in Roland Garros' first Grand Slam title.”
“At the same time, things went very quickly because I started the year ranked somewhere around No. 50 in the world. But a few months later, I arrived at Roland Garros feeling that maybe I wasn't the favourite, but definitely one of them, because I had started winning a lot of matches. I had a great clay season, winning in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.”
“So I arrived to Roland Garros with that confidence. But when I saw the draw, I said ‘wow, this is a very tough draw’. Then things went well and, in the end, I was able to find a way to win my first title—it was unforgettable for me.”
Rafael Nadal by Corinne Dubreuil 📸
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) December 2, 2024
“This photo of Rafa is emblematic: it’s from 2005 during his first Roland-Garros final against Mariano Puerta. I like his look, which was of the time, as well as the combativeness you can already see emanating from this iconic figure!” pic.twitter.com/YlPsooULdo
Thetunning 2017 Comeback
Retired since late 2024, Nadal also recalled his landmark 10th title—La Décima—when he defeated Dominic Thiem (No. 6) in the semi-finals and Stan Wawrinka (No. 3) in the final. The Spaniard had lost in the two previous editions after a dominant five-year streak from 2010 to 2014, with injuries complicating the final stages of his career.
“I came back in 2017 and the year started well. I arrived to the tournament with that confidence that - ‘okay, I am playing well, I feel myself again probably a big candidate to go through the end’ - and that's what happened. In the end I played a very solid tournament.”
“I don't know if I lost a set that year during the entire tournament, but I played well. I reached the final stages healthy, with the right energy and the right confidence.”
“And for me, winning No. 10 was amazing. What Roland Garros did for me during that trophy ceremony, with the crowd chanting my name and the number 10—that was one of the most special moments in my career, without a doubt,” Nadal concluded.
The tribute to Nadal will take place after the day session ends on Philippe Chatrier, following the match between Lorenzo Musetti and Yannick Hanfmann, which is scheduled to start no earlier than 3:30 p.m. local time.
Rafael Nadal's Roland-Garros journey - in his own words ✨
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
Full interview on our YouTube channel! #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/qF7Scuvapo
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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