{"id":41907,"date":"2025-04-18T02:41:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T02:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=41907"},"modified":"2025-04-18T02:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T02:41:13","slug":"rafael-nadal-to-receive-never-done-before-honour-at-french-open-amid-2-7m-prize-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=41907","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal to receive never-done-before \u2018honour\u2019 at French Open amid \u00a32.7m prize increase"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rafael Nadal is set to be handed a new role at the French Open after retiring from tennis last year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 14-time winner\u00a0ended his illustrious career\u00a0with a record of 112 wins and just four losses in the men’s singles at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n

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Nadal is set to be honoured with a ceremony at this year’s French Open<\/span>Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Spaniard lost just four singles matches at Roland Garros during his career<\/span>Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His heroics on the iconic clay court will be honoured on the opening day of\u00a0this year’s tournament.<\/p>\n

A ceremony will take place on Court Philippe-Chatrier on May 25, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has announced.<\/p>\n

Mauresmo said: “Rafa made history at Roland Garros and his 14 titles will perhaps remain unequalled.<\/p>\n

“The idea is to have a vision for the future and also to celebrate those who thrilled us in the past.”<\/p>\n

Nadal won the last of his\u00a0French Open\u00a0titles in 2022 despite essentially playing on one foot.<\/p>\n

His battle with injuries required the Spaniard to take injections in his left foot to compete, causing numbness as he triumphed in the final.<\/p>\n

Although Mauresmo did not elaborate on the nature of the ceremony, it is confirmed to take place following the day session on Sunday May 25.<\/p>\n

Nadal will also become an ambassador for the tournament having made 18 appearances in the men’s singles draw in Paris.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Mauresmo also revealed the prize money for this year’s tournament.<\/p>\n

A total prize pot of \u20ac56.3 million (\u00a348.3m) is on offer, representing a five per cent increase from the 2024 edition.<\/p>\n

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Four-time French Open champion Nadal will also become an ambassador for the event<\/span>Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nadal retired from tennis last year at the age of 38<\/span>Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Line judges will also remain in use at the event, instead of being replaced by electronic line calling.<\/p>\n

The French Open is the only one of the four Grand Slams to still use line judges after\u00a0Wimbledon<\/a>\u00a0made the switch last year.<\/p>\n

Clarifying the decision, French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton explained: “I think we are right to keep our referees and linesmen at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n

“The federation wants to keep our referees for as long as we can. I hope we’ll be able to maintain it in our tournaments in the future.”<\/p>\n

Nadal will not be the only player honoured prior to the tournament, though.<\/p>\n

French tennis great Mary Pierce will also have her own ceremony at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n

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