Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's friendship has been demonstrated by an emotional message the Swiss legend wrote on the morning of Team Spain's quarterfinal tie with the Netherlands.
Nadal will end Tuesday as a retired player if Spain loses to the Dutch team. The 14-time French Open champion announced last month that he would retire after the Davis Cup quarterfinals.
After much speculation, reports indicate that Nadal is likely to play in the singles against the Netherlands and could also feature in the doubles if the tie is locked at 1-1 after the singles matches.
Nadal memorably partnered with Federer in a doubles match in the eight-time Wimbledon champion's farewell tournament at the Laver Cup, but the Spaniard did not reveal if the 43-year-old would attend his last event.
However, it would be very surprising if Federer is not there after the touching words he wrote before Nadal's farewell appearance. Federer began by saying his rival's style and intensity meant he challenged him in ways no one else could.
"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. 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."
Federer wrote that Nadal's unique challenge made him enjoy tennis more and that the Spaniard had made the whole tennis world proud throughout his incredible career.
"And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. 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."
The Swiss legend then shared some fantastic memories with Nadal, such as being at the launch of the retiring Spaniard's academy and playing together at the Laver Cup in Federer's last match.
"I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa."
"Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies."
"I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it."
"You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties."
"And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. 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 of the most special moments of my career."
Federer ended by saying he would talk with Nadal after his farewell appearance at the Davis Cup, but the six-time Australian Open champion made it clear he would always cheer for his fellow tennis legend in the future.
"Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success."
"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."
Rafa that!
Best always, your fan,
Roger
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