Nadal honoured with 'Grand Vermeil' in Paris

Rafael Nadal has been awarded Paris's most prestigious honor, the "Grand Vermeil."

Paris's Spanish-born mayor Anne Hidalgo bestowed the honour upon the 28-year-old tennis ace, and termed him "the most Parisian of Mallorcans," at the city's Hotel de Ville, News24.com reported.

Hidalgo said that the history of Roland Garros could not be written without Nadal, calling the world no. 7 "an exemplary champion who has always maintained his humility".

The 14-time Grand Slam winner too described Paris as the "most important city" in his career, and the one where he "came of age as a sportsman" ten years ago.

The honour comes only days before Nadal, who similarly received a gold medal from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy recently, starts competing for the 10th French Open title at Roland Garros.