The 2025 French Open starts today, and the ceremony of paying tribute to Nadal brings special highlights to the first day

Nandu News reporter Wang Yayun On the evening of May 25, the 2025 French Open will officially start in Paris as scheduled in Roland Garros, and four Chinese players, including Zheng Qinwen, will play in the main competition. According to the announced schedule, the number one Chinese sister Zheng Qinwen will make her debut on the first day of the match and start her first match to return to the blessed land.

And the most interesting thing on the day was that the French Open will welcome the Clay King Rafael Nadal. After the three games of the Philip Chatier Center Stadium that day, the tournament will hold a special tribute ceremony for retired Spanish superstar Nadal. It is reported that this will be an exciting and touching ceremony. Nadal himself and some "mysterious guests" will attend in person.

After a year, Nadal's return to the French Open to participate in the ceremony will be the biggest highlight of this year's Grand Slam event. Xinhua News Agency/French

As the 14-time champion of the French Open men's singles, Nadal announced his official retirement last year, ending his career. Last year, his last appearance at Roland Garros was in the Paris Olympics. But obviously Paris fans do not want to bid farewell to the king of clay in just that way. Therefore, the French Open officially announced early this year that Nadal is still the most important star element of the French Open this season. They will hold a special tribute ceremony for the greatest star on the clay court on the first match day.

It is reported that Nadal himself and his family will attend tonight's ceremony. French Open will use technological light and shadow to re-express Nadal's unforgettable scene of 14-time Musketeer Cup. His old opponents are also old friends Federer and Djokovic may play an important role in the ceremony, and new star Alcalas will lead the junior players to pay tribute to the king of clay. In addition, other celebrities such as Nadal's friend and Spanish basketball superstar Paul Gasol are also expected to appear at the ceremony. At present, the French Open has issued invitations to all fans who purchased tickets for the day, hoping that the audience can participate in the ceremony on the spot and "become a member of this tribute session."

Nadal himself said in an exclusive interview with French "League" that he was not used to such grand ceremonies. "I am good at playing this kind of thing, and I am not the kind of person who likes to hold ceremonies and needs this form," said the Spanish superstar. "So this ceremony is not within my 'comfort circle', but I understand Roland Garros' original intention. After all, we wrote a story together. But as I said, being at the center of attention will make me feel a little uncomfortable. If I just play tennis, it's fine, but to be honest with this ceremony. I was a little embarrassed. But I am still very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to say goodbye to all those who support me. Here are my memories that I will never forget. Now that I have a farewell moment, I don’t want to choose another place, I just want to leave the first position to Roland Garros. "

In addition to this highly-watched tribute ceremony, the French Open on the first day will also be expected, especially the Chinese golden flower Zheng Qinwen will start the first battle to return to Roland Garros tonight. Last year, Zheng Qinwen won the Olympic women’s singles gold medal here, writing a new history for Chinese tennis. This time, Zheng Qinwen's first round opponent was Russian veteran Pavlyuchenkova, who had won the runner-up of the French Open. The two had only had one match before, and Zheng Qinwen lost.

Other Chinese players participating in the competition are not lucky in their signing. Guangdong girl Wang Xinyu will face former US Open champion Raducanu in the first round. Even if she passes the mark, she is likely to challenge the favorite Svatech in the second round; Yuan Yue even won the No. 4 seed of the tournament and Italian star Paulini in the first round, which is a difficult challenge.

Because Zhang Zhizhen and Shang Juncheng withdrew due to injury, the only Chinese team in the men's singles this year, Bu Yunchaoket played in the main competition. Xiao Bu's first round opponent, who had just risen to 70th place in the world and became the number one player in China's men's net, is Misolic, who ranked 155th in the world.