Rafael Nadal: Roger Federer pays emotional tribute to long-time rival ahead of retirement following Davis Cup swansong
Federer played doubles with Nadal in the final game of his career at the 2022 Laver Cup
Image:
Federer played doubles with Nadal in the final game of his career at the 2022 Laver Cup
Roger Federer says Rafael Nadal “challenged me in ways no one else could” as he paid tribute to his former long-time rival ahead of his retirement this month.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, will call time on his glittering career which spans more than two decades at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this week.
Twenty-time Grand Slam winner Federer, who retired after playing doubles with Nadal at the Laver Cup two years ago, faced the Spaniard a total of 40 times across 15 years with their rivalry being one of the greatest in tennis.
Rafael Nadal: Adios to The King of Clay
Rafael Nadal: I’m not here to retire, I’m here to help Spain win
Stream live tennis on Sky Sports and more with NOW
Download the Sky Sports App I Follow @SkySportsTennis
“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” Federer wrote on X.
“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.
Advertisement
“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.
”
Carlos Alcaraz said the Davis Cup final will be an emotional and special tournament for him and he really wants Rafael Nadal to retire with a title
“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.”
In 2022, Federer joined forces with Nadal for the final match of his career and played in the doubles for Team Europe against Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup.
The pair were famously pictured crying together at the event.
Novak Djokovic pays respect to long-term rival Rafa Nadal after their final clash before the Spaniard retires from the sport
“[…] And then there was London – the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match,” Federer continued.
“It meant everything to me that you were there 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 o
f the most special moments of my career.
Leave a Reply