The rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is likely one of the most celebrated in tennis historical past, mixing fierce competitors with mutual admiration.
Spanning over 40 matches, together with epic Grand Slam finals, their contrasting types captivated followers worldwide — Federer’s easy grace in opposition to Nadal’s relentless depth.
Past the court docket, their camaraderie has been equally inspiring. Regardless of battling for supremacy, they’ve shared a deep respect, typically praising one another’s achievements and work ethic.
Their iconic rivalry transcended sport, showcasing how competitors can coexist with friendship. Federer and Nadal stay symbols of sportsmanship, leaving a permanent legacy of rivalry and bonhomie in tennis lore.
As Nadal prepares to hitch Federer into retirement, with the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga to be his final, the Swiss penned an emotional be aware for the Spaniard.
“Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get able to graduate from tennis, I’ve obtained a couple of issues to share earlier than I possibly get emotional.
Let’s begin with the apparent: you beat me—rather a lot. Greater than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in methods nobody else might. On clay, it felt like I used to be getting into your yard, and also you made me work more durable than I ever thought I might simply to carry my floor. You made me reimagine my sport—even going as far as to vary the dimensions of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.
I’m not a really superstitious particular person, however you took it to the subsequent degree. Your entire course of. All these rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy troopers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the best depth. Secretly, I sort of cherished the entire thing. As a result of it was so distinctive—it was so that you.
And what, Rafa, you made me benefit from the sport much more.
OK, possibly not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 rating for the primary time. I believed I used to be on high of the world. And I used to be—till two months later, if you walked on the court docket in Miami in your purple sleeveless shirt, exhibiting off these biceps, and also you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been listening to about you—about this superb younger participant from Mallorca, a generational expertise, most likely going to win a significant sometime—it wasn’t simply hype.
We had been each in the beginning of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking collectively. Twenty years later, Rafa, I’ve to say: What an unimaginable run you’ve had. Together with 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the entire tennis world proud.
I hold desirous about the reminiscences we’ve shared. Selling the game collectively. Enjoying that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance document by taking part in in entrance of greater than 50,000 followers in Cape City, South Africa. At all times cracking one another up. Sporting one another out on the court docket after which, generally, nearly actually having to carry one another up throughout trophy ceremonies.
I’m nonetheless grateful you invited me to Mallorca to assist launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Really, I sort of invited myself. I knew you had been too well mannered to insist on me being there, however I didn’t need to miss it. You will have all the time been a task mannequin for youths around the globe, and Mirka and I are so glad that our youngsters have all skilled at your academies. They’d a blast and discovered a lot—like hundreds of different younger gamers. Though I all the time nervous my youngsters would come residence taking part in tennis as lefties.
After which there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My closing match. It meant every little thing to me that you simply had been there by my aspect—not as my rival however as my doubles accomplice. Sharing the court docket with you that evening, and sharing these tears, will eternally be some of the particular moments of my profession.
Rafa, I do know you’re centered on the final stretch of your epic profession. We’ll discuss when it’s carried out. For now, I simply need to congratulate your loved ones and workforce, who all performed an enormous function in your success. And I would like you to know that your previous pal is all the time cheering for you, and can be cheering simply as loud for every little thing you do subsequent.
Rafa that!
Finest all the time, your fan,
Roger”
