Rafael Nadal, the undisputed king of clay, received a tearful and heartfelt sendoff at Roland Garros on Sunday as the French Open honored the man who defined the tournament for two decades.

Now 38 and retired from professional tennis, Nadal returned to Court Philippe-Chatrier — the site of so many of his triumphs — for a farewell ceremony that left both the crowd and the champion visibly emotional. The tribute, which marked the beginning of this year’s French Open, celebrated Nadal’s unparalleled legacy: a staggering 14 titles and a 112-4 win-loss record at the clay-court Grand Slam.

Thousands of fans packed the stands, many wearing red shirts emblazoned with “Merci Rafa,” rising to their feet in thunderous applause as Nadal entered the court. A moving montage of his greatest moments in Paris played on the giant screens, bringing tears to the eyes of the 22-time Grand Slam winner.

“This is difficult,” Nadal said, fighting back tears as he began his speech in French. “I don’t even know where to start — after 20 years on this court, with all the wins, all the losses, but above all, all the emotion I’ve felt here.”

Switching between English and Spanish, Nadal reflected on his journey, recalling his debut at Roland Garros as an 18-year-old in 2005 and the unforgettable matches that followed. He called Philippe-Chatrier “without doubt, the most important tennis court of my career.”

The ceremony took a particularly emotional turn when Nadal thanked his longtime team and mentor, his uncle Toni Nadal, who played a central role in shaping his legendary career.

In a powerful symbol of the golden era of men’s tennis, Nadal was joined on court by his three greatest rivals — Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The four legends embraced at center court, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“We fought hard against each other, but always with mutual respect and sportsmanship,” Nadal said. “Competing with you made me a better player, and I thank you for that.”

To commemorate his legacy, Nadal was presented with a bronze plaque featuring his footprint — a permanent tribute to his dominance on the red clay. He was then joined by his two-year-old son as he waved goodbye to fans one final time.

“I may no longer be able to compete here,” Nadal said, voice trembling, “but my heart and soul will always be tied to this magical court.”

As the tournament moves forward, a new generation of players looks to follow in Nadal’s footsteps — most notably 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, widely seen as his successor. Alcaraz, who was in the crowd during the tribute, is set to begin his French Open campaign on Monday.

For now, though, Roland Garros belongs to Rafael Nadal — the champion whose name will forever be etched in its clay.