Fans crammed into Court Philippe Chatrier chanted: "Roger! Roger!" sending Roger Federer off with a sing-song tribute.
The 37-year-old Swiss's rousing return to Roland Garros ended as rival Rafael Nadal snapped a five-year, five-match losing streak sweeping Federer, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, to charge into his 12th Roland Garros final.
Watch: Rafa Razes Roger
Reigning Roland Garros champion Nadal, who has never lost a semifinal or final in Paris, moves on to Sunday's final.
Playing Paris for the first time since 2015, Federer was moved by his reception calling it "maybe one of the best ever" he's experienced in a major.
Overall, Federer said his Roland Garros return exceeded his own expectations.
"I thought it was a great tournament," Federer said. "I really enjoyed it. Crowd support couldn't have been better. Maybe one of the best ever in my entire 20-year career that I have been on tour at a slam. Them always being there for me, supporting me in practice, at the matches, on the grounds whenever I came and showed up, they were always happy to see me. So that was nice."
Good vibes, good results and the pure joy of sliding back onto the surface where he started his career as a Swiss junior are all signs Federer will return to the French Open—if healthy—in 2020.
Asked directly if he plans a Roland Garros return, Federer was not definitive but suggested there's a good chance we'll see him on red clay.
"In terms of playing, I think I played really, actually, well," Federer said. "You know, I think I surprised myself maybe how deep I got in this tournament and how well I actually was able to play throughout. And next year, just like with any other tournament, I don't know.
"We'll see what happens. But I definitely enjoyed the clay court season and the French Open, so that would help the chances, I guess, to return to the clay. It's not like it's been a shocker, you know. So from that standpoint, it's okay."
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