Rafael Nadal, about Roland Garros’s final: “It was a game for history” | ATP Tour

Rafael Nadal

Nadal, about Roland Garros’s final: “It was a game for history”

June 13, 2025

How could it be otherwise, Rafael Nadal was one of the millions of people who followed the historic Rolend Garros final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz last Sunday. The Spaniard, who won the Musketeer Cup 14 times, radiographed the match taking advantage of his presence at Pula Golf Resort, in Son Servera, to support ‘The Battle of Stars’, the beneficial golf tournament that collects funds against the ELA.

“It was a game for history,” Nadal said. “Very happy for Carlos. It was a spectacular final, very exciting. Finishing the cup in his arms after having been so close to being taken Sinner … very happy for him,” insisted the champion of 22 Grand Slam titles. “And feeling it for Jannik: despite how hard the encounter for him was, he maintained an impeccable attitude, of good behavior.”

Sinner and Alcaraz have distributed the last six Grand Slam titles (all of 2024, and the first two of 2025). After the withdrawals of Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Nadal himself, and the decomposition of Big 4 (only Novak Djokovic actively), the Italian and the Spanish have managed to take the witness, creating an incredible rivalry and guaranteed the good health of the sport of the racket for a long time.

“Tennis is more important than any player,” the Mallorcan reflected. “Every year there will be champions of Grand Slam. And each one will make their way. Surely new stars will appear, and here there are two of them,” he added, in reference to Sinner and Alcaraz. “They are two players who are well above others today, demonstrating that they are great champions. Tennis is in good hands in that regard.”

Nadal, who received an emotional tribute on the first Sunday of Roland Garros competition at Philippe Chatrier, then returned to Spain and followed the tournament from home. However, that did not generate any negative feeling.

“I don’t have the feeling that I would have liked to be there,” he confessed. “I have lived the tournament as one more spectator. With the illusion of seeing a place that has been very important within my sports life and enjoying tennis, without more,” he continued. “This is my new reality, without thinking beyond all that.”

Nadal retired from professional tennis last November, playing for Spain in the Davis Cup.