Master of clay Nadal gets a fond Roland Garros farewell

The 14-time French Open champ utterly dominated in Paris. On Sunday, Federer and Djokovic joined in to celebrate him

- Shahid Judge

MUMBAI: The cheers reached a crescendo as the announcer started reading a list. A list of the 14 years in which Rafael Nadal won the French Open. At the end of it stepped out onto Court Philippe Chatrier the man who has dominated a single tournament like no other athlete across sport.

Almost everyone in the stands was dressed for the occasion — in identical brick-red t-shirts that had the words "Merci Rafa" printed on it. Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion wore it proudly. And later, Nadal's greatest rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray stepped on court to pay tribute.

Nadal, in tears, soon started to speak French in a thick Spanish accent. Just like their language, he had put a unique Spanish spin on their beloved Roland Garros.