Federer’s emotional farewell letter to Nadal: “You challenged me in ways no one else could”

“While you prepare to graduate from tennis, I have a few things to share before I get emotional,” began Roger Federer in a lengthy post on his social media dedicated entirely to Rafael Nadal. Even though many months have passed since those moments of the photograph where the whole world bid farewell to the Swiss, they give us a hint of what kind of emotions we may experience in a few hours. For now, we have these heartfelt words from Roger to his friend Rafa.

“Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me a lot, more than I could beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, I felt like I was training in your backyard. You made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to stand my ground. You made me rethink my game, even going as far as changing the size of my racket, hoping to gain some advantage.

I’m not superstitious, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process, all those rituals. Arranging your water bottles as if they were toy soldiers in formation, the hair, adjusting your underwear… All of that with utmost intensity. Secretly, I loved all of it because it was so unique, so you.”

The beginning of a unique rivalry in sports

“And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy our matches even more. Maybe not at the beginning. After the 2004 Australian Open, I became world number one for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was, until two months later when you stepped onto the court in Miami with your red tank top, showing those biceps, and beat me convincingly. All those rumors I had been hearing about you, about this incredible young player from Mallorca, a generational talent who would probably win a Grand Slam someday, were not just hype.

We were both at the beginning of our journeys and we ended it together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to tell you. What an incredible career you’ve had! Including 14 Roland Garros, historic! You’ve made all of Spain proud, the world of tennis as well. I still think about the memories we shared, promoting tennis together, playing that half-grass, half-clay court match. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of over 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always making us laugh out loud, exhausting each other on the court, and then sometimes, having to support each other at the trophy ceremonies.

I continue to thank you for inviting me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist I be there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You’ve always been a role model for children all over the world, and Mirka and I are happy our kids have trained at your academies. They had a great time and learned a lot, like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried that my kids would come home playing tennis left-handed.”

From farewell to farewell

“And then came London, the 2022 Laver Cup. My last match. It meant everything to me that you were by my side, not as my rival, but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night and sharing those tears will forever be one of the most special moments of my career. Rafa, I know you are focused on the last part of your epic career. We will talk when it’s over. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who played a fundamental role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend will always be cheering for you and will continue to do so with the same strength in everything you do next.”

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