On a rain-soaked opening day at the 2025 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, launched her quest for a maiden Roland Garros title with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova, wrapping up the match in just one hour. The Belarusian’s performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier was a masterclass, blending five aces, 30 winners, and creative drop shots that showcased her evolving clay-court game. But it was her post-match remarks that stole the spotlight, as she revealed her playful plan to “catch” Rafael Nadal after his emotional tribute ceremony, hoping to glean advice from the 14-time French Open champion. “Of course I’ll try to stick around and watch this beautiful ceremony and I’ll try to catch him somewhere there and ask him, How? Please, give me one advice or two. Just a few. I don’t need more than that,” Sabalenka said with a grin, her humor and admiration for the Spaniard captivating the Parisian crowd.
The ceremony honoring Nadal, held on the same court where Sabalenka triumphed, marked a poignant moment in tennis history. The 38-year-old, who retired in November 2024 after the Davis Cup Finals, returned to Roland Garros to celebrate his unparalleled legacy—112 wins, just four losses, and 14 titles, a record unlikely to be matched. As a video montage traced his journey from a teenage prodigy in 2005 to a clay-court legend, Nadal stood at a lectern, visibly moved, tears streaming as the 15,000-strong crowd, many wearing “Merci Rafa” T-shirts, roared in appreciation. “I don’t know how to start after having played on this court during the past 20 years,” he said in French, his voice cracking. Joined by rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, Nadal reflected on their fierce battles, saying, “You gave me some hard times on court, honestly, but I really enjoyed pushing myself to the limit every single day to compete with all of you.”
Sabalenka’s admiration for Nadal runs deep. In her on-court interview, she hailed him as a “really hard worker,” crediting his relentless work ethic as an inspiration. “Everything he’s achieved is through really hard work and he’s been an inspiration to me, an inspiration to so many players,” she said, recalling how his dedication shaped her own approach. Her desire to seek his counsel stems from her own French Open ambitions. Despite her dominance on hard courts, with titles at the US Open (2023) and Australian Open (2023, 2024), Sabalenka’s best Roland Garros result remains a 2023 semifinal. Last year, a stomach issue led to a quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva, prompting her to vow better dietary discipline in Paris. “I’m watching what I eat this year,” she quipped, determined to avoid past pitfalls.
The Belarusian’s 2025 clay season has been promising, highlighted by a Madrid title and a quarterfinal run in Rome, though a loss to Qinwen Zheng there tempered expectations. Her first-round demolition of Rakhimova, ranked No. 78, sent a strong message to rivals like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff, who see her as a top contender. “We saw her try more drop shots than she would usually do,” former player Anne Keothavong noted, praising Sabalenka’s creative evolution on clay. Her five breaks of serve and zero break points faced underscored her dominance, setting the stage for a potential deep run.
Nadal’s tribute, attended by stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Świątek, was a fitting backdrop to Sabalenka’s victory. The ceremony, which included a permanent imprint of Nadal’s shoe in the Chatrier clay, celebrated his 96.5% win rate and unmatched legacy. “You made me feel like one more Frenchman here,” Nadal told the crowd, thanking his uncle and coach, Toni, for pushing him to his limits. For Sabalenka, the chance to witness this moment and possibly corner the “King of Clay” for advice adds a personal layer to her Parisian journey. As she navigates her second-round match and beyond, her blend of power, humor, and reverence for Nadal’s legacy makes her a compelling figure at Roland Garros, poised to chase both a title and a moment with her idol.
# Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open Quest Meets Nadal’s Emotional Farewell
On a damp opening day at the 2025 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her campaign with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of Kamilla Rakhimova, needing just an hour to assert her dominance on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The world No. 1, chasing her first Roland Garros title, unleashed 30 winners and five aces, her creative drop shots signaling a refined clay game. Post-match, she turned heads with a playful plan to “catch” Rafael Nadal after his tribute ceremony, hoping for tips on winning in Paris. “Of course I’ll try to stick around and watch this beautiful ceremony and I’ll try to catch him somewhere there and ask him, How? Please, give me one advice or two,” she said, her humor masking deep respect.
The ceremony honored Nadal’s 14 French Open titles and 112-4 record, a legacy celebrated with a video montage that left the Spaniard teary-eyed. “I don’t know how to start after having played on this court during the past 20 years,” he said, joined by rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. “You gave me some hard times on court, honestly, but I really enjoyed pushing myself to the limit,” he added, as 15,000 fans, many in “Merci Rafa” T-shirts, roared.
Sabalenka called Nadal a “really hard worker,” inspired by his relentless ethic. “Everything he’s achieved is through really hard work and he’s been an inspiration to me,” she said. Her 2025 clay season, bolstered by a Madrid title, positions her as a favorite, despite a 2023 semifinal as her best Paris result. After a 2024 loss to Mirra Andreeva, she’s focused on diet, joking, “I’m watching what I eat this year.”
With stars like Carlos Alcaraz in attendance and a permanent Nadal footprint in the clay, the ceremony was a poignant backdrop. As Sabalenka eyes her next match, her quest for a title and a chat with the “King of Clay” adds intrigue to her Roland Garros story.
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