Rafael Nadal sheds tears as the 'big four' reunite for Spaniard's farewell party at his beloved Roland Garros

• Rafael Nadal retired from professional tennis after last year's Davis Cup
• There was an emotional retirement ceremony at the French Open on Sunday
• Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray were in attendance  

Twelve months after what proved to be his final match on Court Philippe Chatrier, the great Spaniard returned for a hero’s welcome and an icon’s farewell.

There were t-shirts with the message ‘Merci Rafa’ on each of Philippe Chatrier’s 15,000 seats. Most were the red-brown of the clay but a few hundred white ones spelled out ‘RAFA’ with a love heart, and 14 RG, to mark his absurd tally of championships.

Nadal’s official retirement ceremony came last November, a melancholic occasion when his defeat in the singles contributed to Spain’s elimination from the Davis Cup.

This felt like the tennis world’s chance to make amends and Roland Garros did not disappoint, orchestrating a note-perfect occasion.

Nadal emerged, all in black, on to the court, took up the microphone and began with a little-known story of his first ever visit here, as a 17-year-old who was unable, due to injury, to compete.

‘Thank you very much,’ he said. ‘This is difficult. This is tough. I have lived many emotions on this court, without doubt the most important tennis court in my career.

‘It has been an incredible story that began in 2004 when I came to Roland Garros for the very first time.

‘I could barely walk due to my foot injury but that year I climbed to the top of the court on crutches and looked from up there. I dreamed of coming back the following year to compete.

‘In 2005, I was finally able to play here for the first time.’

Nadal was in floods of tears by the end and the crowning moment was when he was joined on court by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

‘It means a lot that you are all here,’ said the 38-year-old. ‘You pushed me to my mental, physical limits. Nothing could have been so thrilling without these long-lasting rivalries to keep us pushing every single day.’

The ceremony ended with a beautiful, theatrical touch. A groundsman came out with a brush and cleared away an area of clay, revealing a plaque bearing his name and footprint. The announcer declared: ‘Your footprint will stay here forever.’

Twelve months ago, after a first-round defeat to Alexander Zverev, Nadal left this court with a mournful wave. Last night he left smiling through the tears, with his son Rafa Jnr beaming in his arms. A wonderful end to an extraordinary sporting story.

Speaking after the event, Nadal said: ‘It was perfect. I couldn’t expect a more emotional day. I’m still a little bit shy, I don’t like to be the centre of attention but I enjoyed it a lot.’

Reflecting on his retirement, Nadal said he is yet to pick up a racket. In fact, for a time, he lost his legendary competitive spirit.

‘I’ll tell you something funny,’ he said. ‘When I retired, for the next few months I lost all my competitive spirit. That's the truth. I don't know why. But I was playing golf or anything else, and I didn't care if I lose, if I win, if I play well, if I play bad. Was a strange feeling for me, and not fun. I didn't like to experience that.

‘But that's past. I am competitive again. I am enjoying my daily competitions when I play golf, but I think in a much nicer way.’

Mixed in with the emotion and nostalgia was an excellent anecdote about Murray.

‘My good friend Andy,’ began Nadal. ‘We were not in touch for a while. The day that Arsenal beat Real Madrid (Murray is an Arsenal fan, Nadal supports Real) when the match just finished, after one second, he text me a message, telling me...I gonna read, because it's quite good. I feel that it's quite interesting.’

Nadal got his phone out and read: ‘“Hey, Rafa, haven't spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you are OK”.

‘So honestly, it took me five seconds to realize what I was reading, because at the beginning, I said, OK, he's such a nice guy. He's asking about how I'm doing, family. After five seconds, I said, ah: British sense of humour.

‘By the way, I didn't text him when PSG beat Arsenal.’