French Open 2025: Rafael Nadal joined by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in farewell ceremony

Rafa, Roger, Novak and Andy.

The names roll off the tongue for the modern-day tennis fan as quickly as John, Paul, George and Ringo do for a Beatles geek.

This fab four – or the Big Four as they are known – of the ATP Tour’s post-millennium golden era are not seen together much these days, with Rafael Nadal becoming the third of the group to retire at the end of last year.

But he, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray reunited on Sunday as the French Open bade an emotional farewell to its 14-time champion.

“After all these years fighting for everything, it’s unbelievable how time changes the perspective of things,” an emotional Nadal, 37, told his rivals-turned-friends after they strode out to join him on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“All the nerves, pressure, strange feelings when you see each other when you’re rivals, it’s completely different when you finish your career.

“We built amazing rivalries but I think in a good way, we fought hard for titles but were good colleagues and respected one another.

“It means a lot that you’re all here. I really enjoyed a lot pushing myself to the limit every single day to compete with all of you.”