But just as we began to feel that void deepen, Roland Garros did something truly beautiful.
From April 19, the official Roland Garros YouTube channel will publish every single final that Rafa has won at the tournament — 14 legendary matches. Day by day. Match by match. A celebration, a tribute, and a love letter to the man who transformed clay court tennis into an art form.
2005: The Boy Who Became a King
The series kicks off with the final that started it all.
A 19-year-old Spanish lefty, bursting with topspin, defied nerves, expectations, and Mariano Puerta’s inspired performance to capture his first Grand Slam title. Saving three set points at 4-5 in the fourth, our champ showed that even as a teenager, his resilience was already carved in stone. That final wasn’t just the beginning of a career—it was the beginning of a legend.
Since that moment, Rafa has turned Court Philippe-Chatrier into his personal coliseum. He fought through injuries, rivals, and history itself to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires an unthinkable 14 times. It’s a record not just in tennis, but in sport—period.
More Than Matches
This YouTube tribute isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s a time capsule of greatness. A reminder that the Rafa we cheered for wasn’t just an athlete. Our champ was a symbol of something more.
Even now, as Rafa steps into his role as a mentor, father, and global ambassador of the sport, his story on the red dirt continues to inspire millions. His battles may be archived, but his legend is alive — and now available for all to revisit, rewatch, and relive.