Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.
I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.
And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.
OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.
We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.
I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.
I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.
And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.
Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.
Rafa that!
Best always, your fan,
Roger
Zverev not happy with the umpire in the 5th set against Alcaraz at Roland Garros.
Break point down, Carlos hits a second serve that was called out.
The umpire overrules it.
The visual on tv says it was out by 2 mm.
Tough.
💪🏻FORZA JASMINE
🇮🇹Paolini outclasses young Andreeva🇷🇺 63 61 to reach her first Slam final
✅The Italian was brilliant from start to finish
❌Andreeva overcome by the situation
🧨What a year for Jasmine!
#RolandGarros Final set:
🇵🇱Swiatek🆚Paoloni🇮🇹
Keeps making history #RolandGarros
🇵🇱Swiatek sweeps 🇺🇸Gauff in the semifinals 62 64 and continues to break records. Fourth Roland Garros final and 20 straight wins in Paris.
Gauff surpassed once again by a Swiatek who did not need to be at 100%.
And when everyone expect Rybakina - Sabalenka in semifinals… Tennis did it again❤️…
Maiden Grand Slam Semifinal for 🇷🇺Andreeva & Paolini🇮🇹
#RolandGarros
17,37 - At 17 years and 37 days, Mirra Andreeva has become the youngest Women’s Singles Grand Slam semi-finalist since Martina Hingis in 1997 at the US Open, and the youngest at the French Open since Hingis in 1997. Astonishing.
#rolandgarros | @rolandgarros@WTA@WTA_insider
WONDER GIRL🪄
🇷🇺Mirra Andreeva knocks down the door and beats 🇧🇾Sabalenka (67 64 64) to reach #RolandGarros semifinals
✅17 year old, first Grand Slam semi tomorrow against Paolini🇮🇹
❌Sabalenka's first Grand Slam defeat since Us Open 2023 final
Match 12 of the year in 2024 for Aryna Sabalenka🇧🇾 & first set lost!
Sabalenka - Andreeva to the decider… With Aryna suffering physically
#rolandgarros
🇮🇹FORZA JASMINE‼️
😮Paolini pulls off the upset to beat Rybakina in a great match 62 46 64
🔥1st Slam semifinal for the Italian who with her particular style achieves the best result of her career.
❌ We won’t have 4-top seeds in SFs
#RolandGarros
🥇 THIS IS JANNIK'S MOMENT 🥇
Sinner becomes the first-ever Italian man to achieve ATP No.1 Presented by PIF 🇮🇹 👏
#S1NNER | #PIF | #ATPRankings | #partner