Rafael Nadal honored at French Open

Rafael Nadal stepped out into Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday to the sort of unending adulation, thunderous applause and chants of his nickname, "Rafa," that greeted him for years as he accumulated a record 14 French Open championships, only this time he was being honored at a farewell ceremony.

Thousands of spectators gave Nadal, who retired last year, a standing ovation as he strode through the doorway that leads from the locker room to the playing surface he ruled like no one ever has in the history of tennis. Instead of that familiar headband or the tape on his fingers or the capri pants he made famous early in his career, Nadal was wearing a dark suit and dark dress shirt.

He smiled broadly and waved at the crowd, which seemed to occupy just about every seat in the 15,000-capacity venue.

This all came 20 years to the day since Nadal made his debut in Chatrier at age 18 with a second-round victory.

As a highlight video began playing on the screens Sunday – showing those lefty bullwhip forehands, those pumped fists accompanying shouts of "Vamos!" and the relentless racing to every inch of the court – Nadal bit his lower lip and appeared on the verge of tears, which did flow eventually. His voice cracked and he sniffled while delivering a speech in French, then English, and then his native Spanish.

"This is tough," he began, in French. "Good evening, everyone. I don't know where to start after playing on this court for the past 20 years. Winning, losing – but especially being moved every time I've had the chance to be here."

Mostly winning, of course: His career record at the French Open was 112-4. That's why a larger-than-life steel statue of Nadal was installed on the Roland-Garros grounds while he was still an active player.

He went 14-0 in the event's finals, always held in Chatrier, which he called "without a doubt, the most important court of my tennis career." Nadal finished with 22 Grand Slam titles in all, including at least two at each of the sport's most prestigious events.

Nadal's greatest rivals – Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – later all walked out together to join Nadal on the court and hug him.

Toward the end of the proceedings, which closed with yet another ovation, Nadal was shown a new plaque positioned near the stands on the side of the court opposite the umpire's stand: a white rectangle which bears his footprint, his name, and a sketch of the tournament trophy.

"Thank you, France. Thank you, Paris. You have given me emotions and moments I could never have imagined. You can never know how gratifying it is to be appreciated in the place that matters most. ... You made me feel like a Frenchman," Nadal said. "I can no longer play in front of you anymore, but my heart and my memories will always be linked to this magical place."