Roger Federer: Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal

In the next few days, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal will play his last match as a professional at the Davis Cup. When exactly is not yet clear. Shortly before the sad event for all tennis fans, one of his biggest rivals speaks out: Roger Federer.

The Swiss and the Mallorcan went from rivals to friends. So it’s not surprising that the 20-time Grand Slam winner turns to the 22-time Grand Slam winner. “Vamos Rafa!” is how the maestro begins his Instagram post.

“I would like to say a few things before I perhaps get emotional,” writes Federer. Nadal defeated him – defeated him often. More than he managed, Federer continues. The Swiss had to change his game because of Nadal – “even to the point of changing the size of my racket head to gain an advantage.”

Federer also writes about Nadal’s quirks: the lined up bottles, the hair straightening, the straightening of the underpants – “somehow I loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique, it was so completely you.” Nadal allowed him to enjoy tennis even more.

Even though Federer had to go down in the direct duel against the Spaniard – the result was 16:24 – the Swiss is convinced that Nadal made Spain, and even the entire tennis world, proud.

Federer’s homage should not be missing his own retirement from the Laver Cup in September 2022. He played alongside Nadal at the end – then tears flowed from both of them and the pictures went around the world. «It meant everything to me that you were by my side – not as my rival, but as a doubles partner. The space and the tears we shared that evening will always be one of the most special moments of my career.”

In his post, he does not make it clear whether Federer will support Nadal when he says goodbye on site in Málaga. Federer ends the emotional words with: “I want you to know that your old friend will always cheer for you, even in whatever you do next.” Federer doesn’t seem to know what that is exactly – or he doesn’t want to reveal it yet.