Come watch Nadal and make some cash with the T-shirt

It’s clear that some people lack any sense of nostalgia. Certain spectators who attended Rafael Nadal’s tribute at Roland Garros wasted no time in selling the commemorative T-shirt they’d received as a gift.

Moved to tears, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, now retired, was honoured with a heartfelt ceremony on the Philippe-Chatrier court in Paris. He discovered—tearfully—the imprint of his right shoe, now "forever" engraved near the heart of Centre Court. This record holder for most titles at Roland Garros (14 times) was welcomed into an entirely ochre-coloured setting, matching the clay courts. Every spectator present received a T-shirt in this shade, featuring a small "merci Nadal" logo and the date of the event, 25 May 2025.

From the stands

Some spectators saw an opportunity to profit from this honour. Even before the ceremony ended, listings for the now-famous T-shirt began to appear on online marketplaces. More were posted throughout the evening. Prices sometimes soared above €500. Of course, collectors might enjoy displaying this "trophy." But does selling such a memento so quickly really pay tribute to this champion?

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source: Le Soir – Vinted – Picture: © picture alliance/dpa/MAXPPP | Thierry Larret)