With the end of Rafael Nadal’s career, a great era in tennis has come to an end. Of the “Big Three”, only Novak Djokovic is still active. But that could be exactly the reason for a new record game.
There is currently a big comeback trend in the ski circus. Tennis fans worldwide will get used to an ATP Tour without giants Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer starting next year. While the Swiss “Maestro” has been retired from tennis for two years, the Spaniard has now also said goodbye in tears.
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But now a hammer rumor is making the rounds that was sparked by Federer’s long-time manager Tony Godsick. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper “Marca” he promised a tennis hammer.
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“Since Roger retired, he doesn’t want to play a real match unless he feels physically well,” Godsick first makes it clear. Nevertheless, he allows himself to be carried away by a thought game that makes the hearts of tennis fans beat faster. There could be one last giant duel between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But the framework would have to be right for this to happen, and you could set a new world record straight away.
52,000 spectators at the show fight in Cape Town
In 2020, the two tennis titans dueled in Cape Town at the “Match in Africa” in front of 51,954 spectators, and this record is set to be exceeded again. An attempt is being made to convert Real Madrid’s legendary Estadio Bernabeu into a gigantic tennis arena with around 80,000 seats. “We like to do big things,” Godsick emphasized.
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When asked about the possible cracker as a “farewell game,” Godsick said: “The attendance record that they set in South Africa comes to mind. If there is a way to beat the record one day, Roger will certainly consider it. They both enjoy working together.”
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During her career, the classic took place a total of 40 times in official matches; show fights like in South Africa or the exhibition with half the court on grass and half on clay are not listed in this ranking. Nadal won 24 of the duels with Federer, but the last one went to the Swiss in 2019. Despite the great rivalry, the exceptional talents have always valued each other and treated each other almost in a friendly manner.
