EFE.- The Swiss Roger Federerrival on the slopes of Rafa Nadalpublished a carta on their social networks to praise the Spanish tennis player, of whom he said that his emergence twenty years ago took him off the pedestal in which he thought he felt after reaching the number one and with whose style he made him “enjoy the game even more”, elevating “everything to the next level” with its quality.
Las professional careers of Federer and Nadal have followed a parallel path In the last two decades, until retirement of the Swiss in September 2022 at the Laver Cup in London with a record that included twenty Grand Slams.
Two years later, in Malaga, Rafa Nadal says goodbye to his professional career disputing the Davis Cup with Spainsomething that Federer did not miss to praise his great rival but also friend.
“Come on Rafael Nadal. As you prepare to graduate from tennis, I have some things to share before getting excited,” confesses Federer, who begins “with the obvious.”
“You won me… a lot. More than I managed to win you. You challenged me in ways no one else could.. On clay, I felt like I was entering your inner courtyard, 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 racket head, hoping for some advantage,” he declares.
“I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your entire process. All those rituals. Gathering your water bottles like toy soldiers in training, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of that with maximum intensity. Secretly, I loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique, it was so you. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more although maybe not at first,” he points out.
“After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached the world number one for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And he was, until two months later, when you entered the Miami court in your red sleeveless t-shirt, showing off those biceps and you won me over convincingly. “All that noise I had been hearing about you, about this incredible young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, who would probably win a Grand Slam one day, was not just publicity,” he recalls.
“We were both at the beginning of our journey and it is a trip we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say:What an incredible streak you’ve had.! Including 14 Roland Garros. Historical! “You made Spain feel proud and you made the entire tennis world feel proud,” he points out.
Federer also thinks “in the shared memories promoting sport together”.
“We played that match half grass, half clay and we broke the attendance record of all time playing in front of more than 50 thousand fans in Cape Town. We always made each other laugh out loud. We would get tired on the pitch and then sometimes we would literally have to hold ourselves up during the trophy ceremonies,” he says.
“I still thank you for inviting me to Mallorca to help launch the Academy in 2016. Actually, I invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist I be there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for children around the world, and Mirka and I are very happy that our children trained at your academy. They had a great time and learned a lot, like thousands of other young players. Although I was always worried that my children would come home playing tennis left-handed,” he points out.
“And then there was London, the Making the Cup in 2022. My last game. It meant everything to me that you were there by my sidenot as my rival, but as my doubles partner. Share the court with you that night and Sharing those tears will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.“, remember.
“Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last part of your epic career. We’ll talk when it’s over. For now, I just want congratulate your family and team. They all played a fundamental role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always encouraging you and will continue to encourage you just as strongly in everything you do next. That’s Rafa! Greetings and always, your fan Roger”, he concludes.
