Statements from Day 2 of the French Open: Remarks from Players
In a heartfelt gesture, tennis greats Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray participated in Rafael Nadal's on-court celebration at the French Open, honoring his illustrious career. The trio walked out together, symbolizing their deep respect and camaraderie with the Spanish superstar.
Carlos Alcaraz described the farewell ceremony as "unbelievable," expressing his admiration for how Roland Garros conducted the event. He felt it was a special moment to witness Nadal's goodbye.
Iga Swiatek, who was among the attendees, also reacted positively, acknowledging the emotional nature of the event. Her specific comments highlight the emotional resonance of the ceremony.
Jannik Sinner and other players showed their respect for Nadal's achievements by attending the ceremony, creating a poignant moment for the tennis community to come together and celebrate Nadal's legacy.
Novak Djokovic shared a warm conversation with Andy Murray following his victory in the Geneva Open, his first tournament since parting ways with Murray as his coach. Murray joked about Djokovic's new coach, implying that the change had contributed to his victory.
In a more personal note, Swiatek recalled an encounter with Nadal after his rare Roland Garros loss in 2021. Despite her own emotions, Swiatek was struck by Nadal's unflappable demeanor, which he attributed to the transient nature of tennis matches.
Stan Wawrinka, a former champion, reflected on his opening loss to Britain's Jacob Fearnley, stating that he was getting closer to the end of his career but was still enjoying the game.
In a candid moment, Naomi Osaka expressed her feelings after a first-round loss to Paula Badosa, admitting that she hates disappointing people. She also revealed her admiration for Nadal's influence, stating that his goodbye was a moving experience.
Daria Kasatkina, representing Australia for the first time after switching allegiances from Russia, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to compete in a Grand Slam event. She noted that while the loss was tough, she felt liberated and free to live her life more openly.
Danielle Collins weighed in on the long-running controversy over the lack of women's matches in the Roland Garros night sessions, expressing her belief that having women play during the night matches benefits the sport by attracting more fans and creating a lively discussion.
References:[1] AFP. (2025). Federer, Murray join Nadal in emotional on-court ceremony at French Open. Retrieved from [URL not provided][2] AFP. (2025). French Open tribute 'spectacular' for Nadal's farewell. Retrieved from [URL not provided][3] AFP. (2025). Tears from Swiatek, hugs from Djokovic as tennis world bids farewell to Nadal. Retrieved from [URL not provided][4] AFP. (2025). Alcaraz, Sinner among players at Nadal's farewell ceremony. Retrieved from [URL not provided]
"Daria Kasatkina, a former Russian player now representing Australia, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in Nadal's farewell ceremony at the French Open."
"Despite their focus on different sports, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, both tennis players, admired Russia's Nadal and appreciated his sportsmanship, especially in tennis, particularly in tennis sports like tennis."
