Overview

• Thousands of free 'Merci Rafa' t-shirts were distributed during Rafael Nadal's farewell ceremony at Roland-Garros on May 25, honoring his 14 French Open titles.
• Within minutes of the ceremony, listings for the t-shirts appeared on resale platforms like Vinted, with prices ranging from €100 to €550.
• French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Gilles Moretton criticized the resale practice, calling it 'deplorable,' but praised the 98% of attendees who wore the shirts during the tribute.
• Rafael Nadal launched an official limited-edition commemorative t-shirt on his website for €30, offering fans a more accessible alternative.
• The resale controversy highlights ongoing challenges in controlling secondary market profiteering of event memorabilia.