India, May 25 -- Rafael Nadal was back at the French Open for the first time since he retired from professional tennis last November, and things had barely changed for the Spaniard. Just like the last 20 years, an unending adulation, thunderous applause and chants of his nickname, "Rafa," from the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier greeted Nadal, only this time he was being honoured at a farewell ceremony.

Thousands had flocked to the iconic venue in Paris, donning the custom-made 'Merci Rafa' shirts, which were handed out to every spectator at Stade Roland Garros on Sunday as a gesture from the organisers as Nadal returned to the French Open, a tournament he had won 14 times. But instead of the familiar bandana, the tape on his fingers, o...