"We started the tournament in the best possible way," Mauresmo reflects on the tribute to Nadal at the beginning of Roland-Garros
After two weeks of competition (three if you include the qualifiers), Roland-Garros will come to a close this Sunday, June 8. Following Coco Gauff's triumph in the women's singles, either Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz will be crowned champion in the men's draw.
As we await the conclusion of this 2025 edition at Porte d’Auteuil, Amélie Mauresmo reviewed the Parisian fortnight during a press conference. The tournament director revisited the ceremony held in honor of Rafael Nadal, the Spaniard who has been crowned champion 14 times in the French capital.
"When I took over in 2022, it was with the desire to bring the tournament into modernity while preserving our traditional foundations. And also to ensure that everyone who comes here experiences the fullest emotions.
From that perspective, I believe we have great satisfaction. I’m a happy director regarding everything that has happened, starting with the very strong emotions felt during the tribute to Rafa (Nadal).
I think we started the tournament in the best possible way by paying homage to this player, who has a unique history with Roland-Garros and his fourteen victories. The goal was to honor him in a just and legitimate way, respecting the man he is, especially beyond the champion we all know.
As we’ve said, there’s a shared desire and wish from both the tournament and Rafa to establish a lasting collaboration. I won’t hide that we first focused on what would happen this year, between the communication campaign and his tribute.
But indeed, discussions will simply resume so that this shared history, spanning twenty years, can continue in one way or another. We’ll find ways to make it happen, and I’m very confident about it," she told *L’Équipe*.
