AS Rafael Nadal prepares for the final tournament of what has been a legendary career when he represents Spain in the Davis Cup, his biggest rival on the court, and off-court friend Roger Federer made sure to give him a fitting tribute.
Federer, who retired back in September 2022, penned an eloquent message to Nadal through social media platform X (formerly Twitter), looking back at how they both rose through the ranks and elevated the sport of tennis even further as fierce competitors.
“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” Federer opened.
“Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me — a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground,” he said.
“You made me reimagine my game — even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.”
Tennis' finest
Federer and Nadal played each other a grand total of 40 times, with the Spaniard taking a 24-16 advantage over the Swiss. They’ve played 24 times in the finals with Nadal taking 14 to Federer’s 10, and Nadal also has a sizable lead over him when it comes to grand slam matches, 12-2.
It will be fair to note that majority of the games they’ve played were on clay – considered as Nadal’s ultimate playground with 14 French Open titles to his name.
One particular match that Federer won’t forget was at the 2004 NASDAQ-100 open where a top-seeded Federer felt like he was on top of the world, only for a 32nd-ranked Nadal to come in and eliminate him in the third round of the tournament.
From then on, Federer knew he had his career’s foil.
“You know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. OK, maybe not at first,” Federer continued.
“After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was — until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly,” he noted of the match that Nadal won, 6-3, 6-3.
“All that buzz I’d been hearing about you — about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday — it wasn’t just hype.
“We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens — historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.”
From fierce rivals, to great friends
That faceoff was only the beginning of the story for the two young stars who would later become synonymous to tennis greatness, as Nadal finished with 22 major singles titles, and Federer finished with 20.
This includes an amazing stretch from 2005-2007 where the pair won 11 consecutive Grand Slams in between them to cement their dominance in the sport during that era.
Fittingly, Nadal and Federer shared the same court in the latter’s farewell match in the 2022 Laver Cup, but not as rivals but as teammates for Team Europe.
It’s a memory Federer will forever cherish
"Then there was London — the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side — not as my rival but as my doubles partner,” he said.
”Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.”
For now, Federer will be cheering on his pal as he looks to win one for Spain before calling it a career, and he promises to reconnect with Nadal once the tournament is over.
“I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success,” he said.
“And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next,” he added before concluding his message with:
“Best always, your fan, Roger.”
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