Roger Federer has penned an emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal, joking that he “secretly loved” his long-time rival’s rituals, including “assembling water bottles like toy soldiers” and adjusting his underwear.
Nadal will retire with 22 grand slam titles, seven coming courtesy of wins over Federer in finals, with the pair’s rivalry defining a generation.
Nadal won 24 of the 40 matches between the two but their rivalry turned to friendship over the course of their careers. Nadal was in tears during Federer’s retirement ceremony in 2022 and as the Spaniard prepares for what could be the final match of his career this week at the Davis Cup, Federer said: “I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
“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. You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.”
Federer referenced Nadal’s meticulous preparation in serving for every point, including the shorts tugs, shoulder taps and rearranging of water bottles, that could often irritate his opponents.
Federer said: “I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear … All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique – it was so you.
“And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.”
Federer also hailed Nadal’s record 14 French Open titles and reflected on his realisation that he faced a fight for supremacy early in his career when the Spaniard walked on court in Miami in 2004 “showing off those biceps” and winning convincingly.
Federer added: “After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the No 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. 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.”
Spain take on Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, with captain David Ferrer yet to decide on what role Nadal will play.
Five matches that defined Federer vs Nadal
1. 2008 Wimbledon final
Widely considered one of the best tennis matches in history, the 2008 final was an epic contest that lasted almost five hours, including two rain breaks and a twilight finish. Nadal, who raced into a two-sets-to-love lead, eventually ended Federer’s five-year winning streak at the All England Club despite an almighty fightback. Nadal collapsed on to the turf after a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 victory that was a high watermark for the game.
2. 2017 Australian Open final
Federer won his first grand slam for five years with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over Nadal in the Australian Open, to become the first player in history to win five or more titles at three different majors. Although not as lengthy as the Wimbledon contest almost a decade before, lasting just under four hours, there were moments of genius from both players.
3. 2006 Italian Open final
The rivalry between the two greats of the sport can be traced back to the Rome final in 2006, when Nadal refused to be defeated in a five-hour, five-set final at the Foro Italico in the Italian capital. Nadal went into the game having won four of the five meetings between the players, while Federer had not yet won at Roland Garros. The Swiss player could have won, but Nadal dug in, and secured a 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) victory.
4. 2004 Miami Open
In March 2004, a teenage Nadal came up against then-world No 1 Federer for the first time at an ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. Nadal won in straight sets, and did not face a single break point. It would prove to be the first of 40 matches between the two giants of the sport.
5. 2019 Wimbledon semi-final
In 2019, Federer beat Nadal in four sets, but the match took on a greater significance. The semi-final was their first meeting at Wimbledon since the enthralling 2008 contest, and it proved to be their 40th and final meeting in professional tennis. With a combined age of 70, they both produced good tennis, as Federer set up a showdown against Novak Djokovic.
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