Roger Federer has paid tribute to Rafael Nadal ahead of the Spaniard’s retirement from tennis, revealing their rivalry made him “enjoy the game even more”.
Nadal’s career comes to an end this week at the Davis Cup, where he will represent Spain for the final time as he looks to go out on a high.
The 38-year-old bows out with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, with six of those coming with final wins over Federer, as the pair went toe-to-toe for nearly two decades.
Nadal finished on top in that rivalry, winning 24 of the 40 matches between the two, but the two became increasingly close as their careers progressed, with Nadal in tears during Federer’s retirement ceremony after they teamed up to play doubles in the Laver Cup in 2022.
Ahead of Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final tie against the Netherlands, which could be the final match of Nadal’s career, Federer posted a long message on social media, hailing Nadal’s impact on both him personally and the wider sport after an “epic career”.
Federer said: “As you get ready to graduate from tennis, 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.”
Nadal first played Federer at the 2004 Miami Open, winning in straight sets, and he came out on top in six of the first seven matches between the two.
The Spaniard beat Federer in the final of the French Open in 2006, 2007 and 2008, establishing the dominance at Roland Garros that would see him win the title 14 times in Paris.
“You know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more,” Federer continued.
“OK, maybe not at first. 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.
“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.”
Federer hailed Nadal as a “role model for kids around the world”, though joked he was worried his own children would start playing left-handed after training at the Spaniard’s tennis academy in Mallorca.
He added that it “meant everything” to have Nadal alongside him at the Laver Cup for his own tennis farewell, as he reiterated his admiration for the Spaniard.
“I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success,” Federer 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.”
