Fans Resell ‘Merci Rafa’ Shirts After Nadal Tribute at Roland Gar

Post by : Rinkal Joshi

 Photos: Reuters

French Open Fans Reselling ‘Merci Rafa’ Shirts Upsets Organisers

The 2025 French Open witnessed an emotional and historic moment when a special tribute was held for Rafael Nadal, the 14-time Roland Garros champion. To honour Nadal’s incredible contribution to the tournament, the organisers distributed 10,000 brick-red T-shirts to fans present in the stadium. These shirts had "Merci Rafa" printed on them — meaning "Thank you, Rafa" in French — as a token of gratitude.

The atmosphere at the stadium was truly magical. Thousands of fans wore the red T-shirts, creating a striking visual across the stands. To make the moment even more memorable, some fans seated in the upper stands wore white shirts and came together to form a human mosaic. The mosaic displayed the word "RAFA" at the centre, flanked by red hearts and the text "14 RG" — symbolising Nadal’s 14 French Open victories.

This event was designed to be a heartfelt farewell, especially since this might be Nadal’s last appearance at Roland Garros due to ongoing injuries and the later stage of his career. The moment was not only beautiful but also emotional for tennis fans around the world.

However, this act of tribute took an unexpected turn soon after the event. By Monday morning, many of the “Merci Rafa” shirts, which were given away for free, began appearing on online selling platforms. Sellers were demanding prices ranging from 150 euros (around AED 626) to as high as 500 euros (approximately AED 2,089). This move disappointed many fans and also drew criticism from the French Tennis Federation (FFT).

Gilles Moretton, the President of FFT, expressed his disappointment while speaking to the media. He said, “That some people are taking the opportunity to make money off the ‘Merci Rafa’ T-shirt, I find that a bit deplorable.” He further added, “We weren’t going to take the T-shirt back in the end. We did something unique, and with uniqueness sometimes comes this kind of drift. I saw some prices that scared me.”

According to FFT, the tribute was never intended to be turned into a business opportunity. Instead, it was planned as a personal and collective gesture from fans to a legend who has dominated clay courts like no one else in tennis history. The goal was to give fans a memorable keepsake and to honour Nadal’s unmatched achievements.

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Many fans and tennis lovers on social media also voiced their anger. Some said that trying to sell the shirt was disrespectful to Nadal’s legacy. Others called for stricter measures to prevent such reselling in the future. While only a small portion of the 10,000 T-shirts appeared online, the incident highlighted how moments meant for tribute and respect can be misused for personal gain.

Despite this unfortunate situation, most fans chose to keep the shirt as a memory of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For many, it was not just a piece of clothing but a symbol of admiration, respect, and love for Rafael Nadal. His journey, especially at Roland Garros, has inspired millions of fans over the past two decades.

As Nadal’s career nears its end, tributes like this one are reminders of the impact he has made on the sport. The “Merci Rafa” moment, although slightly overshadowed by the resale issue, still stands as one of the most touching scenes in recent tennis history.

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