On the 2005 French Open, Roger Federer congratulated Rafael Nadal after their semifinal. Now Federer is congratulating Nadal on his looming retirement — and a stellar professional profession. Nadal is enjoying within the Davis Cup, his ultimate match, on Tuesday.
Jack Guez/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
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Jack Guez/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
After we face huge Life Moments, it is usually the folks near us who put issues in perspective. So with tennis nice Rafael Nadal about to retire after one ultimate Davis Cup match, who higher than Roger Federer to place an unimaginable profession — and a uncommon friendship — in perspective.
“You made me reimagine my game,” Federer, one of many biggest tennis gamers in historical past, advised Nadal, one other of the best tennis gamers in historical past, in a message shared on Instagram and different platforms.
“Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot,” Federer mentioned. “More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could.”
Nadal is ending his tennis profession with the Davis Cup, the place he and Spain face the Netherlands in a “Final 8” showdown. He is scheduled to play on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET, in a match carried by the Tennis Channel. The match is being held in Málaga, Spain, from Nov. 19 to 24: the semifinals are set for Friday and Saturday, with the ultimate performed on Sunday.
Nadal, recognized for his never-say-die pursuit of each level in a match, has contended with a sequence of accidents in his profession, from his toes and knees to hip surgical procedure in 2023.
As a result of that is the knockout section of the match, it is unsure which match might be Nadal’s final. However it’s sure that for Nadal, the 38-year-old who has received 22 Grand Slams, the week will convey a flood of tributes. None are more likely to be extra private than the word from Federer, his on-court Swiss nemesis and off-court pal.
“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” Federer mentioned.
Federer talked about how he modified to a brand new racquet head, looking for a option to fight Rafa’s energy and ability. He talked about their exhausting and thrilling battles on the court docket, enjoying collectively for tens of hundreds of followers. He additionally talked about … Nadal’s underwear.
“I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals,” Federer mentioned of the notoriously specific and exact Nadal. “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 forged again to Nadal’s brash arrival in 2004 carrying a sleeveless purple shirt, his well-known biceps powering him to a win over Federer, who was then a newly anointed No. 1. He spoke of how their rivalry turned a shared path, one which ended with the 2 growing old legends enjoying doubles collectively — and overtly weeping collectively — in Federer’s final huge match, on the Laver Cup in 2022.
“Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had,” Federer wrote. “Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud.”
“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,” Federer mentioned, signing his word, “Best always, your fan, Roger.”
