"Exemplary relationship" - Former coach of Nadal shares unknown 'Fedal' story

| by Alfredo Bassanelli

The former coach of Rafael Nadal, Toni Colom shared a story of how Nadal was over the moon after Federer sent him a text in 2005.

Toni Colom, who has previously worked with Nadal and presently maintains a blog, revealed a 2005 "Fedal" tale after the Swiss star retired recently. Federer retired at the Laver Cup, choosing to play one final match with Nadal on the same side of the net.

They competed in a doubles match against Tiafoe and Sock. Many praised their rivalry as the ideal one and the retirement ceremony that followed the match showed how important the connection is to both Nadal and Federer. A mix of healthy competitiveness and an incredible amount of respect.

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Colom, who coached Nadal at the time it happened in 2005, shared how great it was even in it's early stages: "As many of you know, I was lucky enough to be able to experience Rafael Nadal's Futures, Challengers and first ATP stage very closely by accompanying him in certain tournaments there in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, with which I saw the birth of perhaps the greatest and most beautiful world tennis rivalry"

"In my memory, I have recorded the joy that Rafael expressed when in September 2005, on his way back to the hotel after winning the ATP final in Beijing, he received an SMS from Roger congratulating him on the Championship won minutes before and that demonstrates the good foundations that were created. This exemplary relationship that has further enriched the greatness of sport and especially tennis" continued Colom.

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"In my mind is what a young Rafael told me hours before what would be his first confrontation with Federer, Miami March 2004, who also fell on the side of Manacorí or what he transmitted to me just a year later in his second confrontation after losing his first Miami final in April 2005 when he was leading Roger two sets up."

"There were not a few times that I escaped by car from Barcelona, very early in the morning to Monte Carlo to be able to witness a Federer vs. Nadal final (2006, 2007 and 2008), without a doubt one of the greatest sporting spectacles of the time and that compensated for any effort that one had to do to be able to contemplate it live." concluded Colom.

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