Roger Federer paid tribute to his longtime rival Rafael Nadal on Tuesday as he gears up for his final event in skilled tennis on the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain.
Federer and Nadal first competed towards one another within the third spherical of the Miami Open in 2004 and went on to kind two of males’s tennis’ large three together with Novak Djokovic, incomes 42 main titles between them (Nadal 22, Federer 20).
Writing on X, the Swiss star praised the person who acquired the higher of him 24 occasions in 40 matches.
“As you get able to graduate from tennis, I’ve acquired just a few issues to share earlier than I perhaps get emotional,” Federer mentioned. “Let’s begin with the apparent: you beat me — loads. Greater than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in methods nobody else might. On clay, it felt like I used to be entering into your yard, and also you made me work more durable than I ever thought I might simply to carry my floor.
“You made me reimagine my sport — even going as far as to vary the dimensions of my racquet head, hoping for any edge. I am not a really superstitious particular person, however you took it to the subsequent stage. Your complete course of. All these rituals.
“Assembling your water bottles like toy troopers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the very best depth. Secretly, I type of beloved the entire thing. As a result of it was so distinctive — it was so that you.
“And you understand what, Rafa, you made me benefit from the sport much more. OK, perhaps not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the No. 1 rating for the primary time. I assumed I used to be on prime of the world. And I used to be — till two months later, once you walked on the courtroom in Miami in your crimson sleeveless shirt, displaying off these biceps, and also you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I would been listening to about you — about this wonderful younger participant from Mallorca, a generational expertise, in all probability going to win a serious sometime — it wasn’t simply hype.
“We had been each initially of our journey and it is one we ended up taking collectively. Twenty years later, Rafa, I’ve to say: What an unimaginable run you’ve got had. Together with 14 French Opens — historic! You made Spain proud … you made the entire tennis world proud.”
Nadal performed a major position in Federer’s retirement in 2022, competing alongside one another on the Laver Cup in London in his final match.
“My ultimate match. It meant every thing to me that you simply had been there by my facet — not as my rival however as my doubles companion,” Federer mentioned. “Sharing the courtroom with you that night time, and sharing these tears, will endlessly be one of the particular moments of my profession.
“Rafa, I do know you are centered on the final stretch of your epic profession. We are going to speak when it is finished. For now, I simply need to congratulate your loved ones and crew, who all performed an enormous position in your success. And I need you to know that your outdated pal is at all times cheering for you, and shall be cheering simply as loud for every thing you do subsequent.”
Nadal is ready to start his farewell Tuesday as Spain takes on the Netherlands within the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Spain’s captain David Ferrer wouldn’t reveal whether or not the retiring icon would function in both the singles or doubles, although he did observe with Carlos Alcaraz on Monday.
“If I am on the courtroom I hope to manage my feelings. I am not right here to retire, I am right here to assist the crew win,” Nadal instructed a information convention.