Rafael Nadal’s Cheeky Text Reveal from Andy Murray at Roland Garros 2025 Leaves Tennis World in Stitches

On May 25, 2025, the red clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros was not just a stage for tears but also for laughter, as Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, shared a hilarious text exchange with Andy Murray during his emotional farewell ceremony. The Spaniard, who retired in November 2024, was honored in a star-studded event that reunited the “Big Four”—Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Murray. Amid the tributes and standing ovations, Nadal’s revelation of Murray’s cheeky message sent the tennis world into a frenzy of laughter, with fans on X buzzing: “What’s going on with Rafa and Andy?!”

The ceremony, orchestrated by tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, was a celebration of Nadal’s unmatched legacy—112 wins, 4 losses, and 14 titles on the Parisian clay. Fans, clad in “Merci Rafa” T-shirts, formed a mosaic spelling “RAFA” and “14 RG” with hearts, while a video montage of Nadal’s triumphs—from his 2005 debut to his 2022 grit—played to a roaring crowd of 15,000. Nadal, in a sleek black suit, wept as he thanked his family, particularly uncle Toni, who coached him to 16 of his 22 Grand Slams. But the mood lightened when Nadal, in a press conference afterward, pulled out his phone to share a text from Murray that had the room in stitches.

“My good friend Andy, who I wasn’t in touch with for a while,” Nadal began, grinning, “the day Arsenal beat Real Madrid 5-1 in the Champions League quarter-finals, when the match just finished, after one second, he texted me: ‘Hey Rafa, haven’t spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you’re okay.’” The room erupted in laughter as Nadal recounted his confusion. “For five seconds, I thought, ‘Wow, he’s such a nice guy, checking on my family!’ Then I realized—this is Andy’s British sense of humor!” The crowd roared, and Nadal added, “It made me smile when I didn’t feel like smiling.”

Murray, a lifelong Arsenal fan, had seized the moment to tease Nadal, a diehard Real Madrid supporter, right after the Gunners’ crushing victory. Nadal, ever the good sport, revealed he didn’t retaliate when Arsenal later lost to PSG in the Champions League. “I didn’t text him back,” he laughed. “I’m not at his level of banter!” The exchange, shared during a press conference packed with journalists, went viral on X, with one fan posting, “Andy’s savage text to Rafa is peak British humor! #RolandGarros2025”. Another wrote, “Rafa laughing through his tears—this is why we love these guys!”

The text exchange added a lighthearted moment to an otherwise emotional day. The “Big Four” reunion was a historic highlight, with Federer, Djokovic, and Murray surprising Nadal by joining him on court. “I didn’t know they’d be here, but I hoped,” Nadal said, noting Murray’s effort to travel from London for the day. Federer embraced Nadal first, recalling their tearful 2022 Laver Cup farewell, while Djokovic, fresh off his 100th ATP title, called Nadal “my greatest rival.” Murray, who briefly coached Djokovic in 2025, quipped, “I thought I’d be here as a coach, not a rival!” Their laughter echoed, a testament to their bond beyond competition.

The tennis world’s reaction was electric. ESPN called the text reveal “a masterclass in banter,” while Tennis Channel praised Nadal’s ability to balance humor and humility. Fans on X flooded the platform with memes, one showing Murray’s text superimposed over an Arsenal goal, captioned, “Andy 1, Rafa 0.” Iga Świątek, who attended with Carlos Alcaraz, tweeted, “Rafa and Andy’s friendship is everything. I’m still laughing!” The hashtag #MerciRafa trended with over 2 million mentions, blending tears and chuckles.

Nadal’s story underscored the “Big Four’s” unique legacy—not just their 69 combined Grand Slams but their ability to remain friends despite fierce rivalries. “We showed the world you can fight hard and still respect each other,” Nadal said. As he left the court, carrying his son, a plaque bearing his footprint and “14” was unveiled, ensuring his immortality at Roland Garros. But it was Murray’s cheeky text, and Nadal’s gleeful retelling, that reminded fans why these legends are beloved—not just for their tennis, but for their humanity. As one X user summed it up, “Rafa and Andy’s banter is the real Grand Slam!”