Nadal took to X on Monday and expressed his gratitude to his long-time rivals for their presence at the tribute.
'I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up.'
Carlos Alcaraz continued his French Open title defence with a display of breathtaking brutality for a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory over American 12th seed Tommy Paul.
On the anniversary of the day he first walked on to the Roland Garros court 20 years ago, Rafael Nadal returned as a hero to be celebrated by a crowd that has always embraced him as one of their own.
Fifth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos bagged their maiden Grand Slam trophy as a pair by battling past British duo Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in the French Open doubles final.
Nadal touch helps Paolini reach French Open third round
Ranked No. 361 in the world, Boisson stunned third seed Jessica Pegula in front of a roaring home crowd to book her spot in the French Open quarter-finals - and guarantee herself a minimum of $500,000 in prize money.
It's a privilege to make history with you, Alcaraz tells Sinner
French Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka broke down in tears and apologised for what she labelled a 'terrible final' after losing 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 to American Coco Gauff on Saturday.
He went out after a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 defeat by Sinner on Court Philippe Chatrier but it was not long before he began planning his immediate future.
Novak Djokovic said he owes much of his success to his former rivals Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Coco Gauff ended local heroine Lois Boisson's dream run at the French Open with a ruthless 6-1, 6-2 victory on Thursday to set up a final clash with top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
Paris St Germain forward Ousmane Dembele got a roaring welcome usually reserved for tennis champions when he carried the freshly-won Champions League trophy onto centre court on Monday.
Coco Gauff was dumbstruck after beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open final on Saturday
Jannik Sinner navigated mild turbulence for a winning return to Grand Slam tennis as the world number one launched his hunt for a maiden French Open trophy.
Novak Djokovic notched his 99th career French Open win with a clinical 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic to reach the fourth round on a memorable Saturday night in Paris.
With the Champions League final kicking off on Saturday evening, authorities are bracing for both sets of spectators to spill out onto the streets of western Paris around the same time.
Top seed Jannik Sinner continued his serene French Open progress with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 dismantling of Russian Andrey Rublev to reach the quarter-finals in ominous fashion on Monday.
'I tried to calm myself as I was mad, angry and talking not really good things. I'm really happy not to let those thoughts play against me.'
Djokovic still undecided on next year's French Open after semi-final exit.
Jannik Sinner's dazzling winning streak ground to a halt ahead of the French Open but the world number one's top-notch return from a three-month doping ban suggests he will be the main challenger to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris.
The Serbian's determined performance ensured he became only the second man to win a century of matches at the Parisian Grand Slam
It was then plain sailing for the Tuscan, who read his opponent's serve perfectly to break repeatedly and used his elegant single-handed backhand to perfection to set up a clash with wildcard Valentin Royer or lucky loser Daniel Elahi Galan.
World number one Jannik Sinner defeated record-chasing Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in a clash of generations on Friday to set up a blockbuster French Open final showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
'Novak is playing here, so it's easier. But Andy and Roger coming meant a lot to me because they represent a very important part of my tennis career.'
Gael Monfils thrilled the Roland Garros crowd with his 12th five-set victory at the French Open on Tuesday before revealing that he does not enjoy having to dig himself out of deep holes at Grand Slams.
Lois Boisson is daring to dream of an improbable triumph after she stormed into the French Open semi-finals
Paul must overcome defending champion Alcaraz in the quarter-finals to keep his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title alive.
Iga Swiatek arrives at Roland Garros this month under a cloud of uncertainty, with the Pole enduring one of the toughest stretches of her career just before the defence of her French Open title.
Fifth seed Iga Swiatek stages revival to stay in hunt for 4th French crown.
IMAGES from the French Open played at Roland Garros, in Paris, France, on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz fought back from the brink to outlast top seed Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday to retain his crown and cement his status as the Prince of Clay in Roland Garros' post-Rafa Nadal era.
Three-time champion Novak Djokovic battled past Frenchman Corentin Moutet in a match that lasted more than three hours on Thursday.
Coco Gauff overcomes Sabalenka in error-riddled final to win French Open
'Beautiful draw': Retiring Gasquet meets Sinner in French Open swansong
'Every time I step onto this court I'm playing for history.'
The free-swinging Monfils broke Draper's serve in the fourth set as the clock moved past 11pm local time and saved five break points in an epic seventh game to move 5-2 ahead.
Images from Day 1 of the 2025 French Open in Paris on Sunday.
The French Open said it would also honour its 2000 women's champion Mary Pierce as well as fellow local favourite Richard Gasquet, who will retire after the tournament this year.
Images from Day 10 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Tuesday.
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