The definition of the championship will be held in Malaga and Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles and four Davis Cup titles, seeks to win it once again to close his career with a flourish.
While waiting for the game to begin, the tennis world was shocked by the exciting farewell letter published by Roger Federer on their social networks. The Swiss racket, which over time became the Spaniard’s main sporting rival, and who also forged a friendship, published some heartfelt words in tribute to the Spaniard.
Former Swiss tennis player Roger Federer dedicated a public letter to Rafael Nadal, who is in the final stretch of his professional career, to express his admiration, gratitude and the memories shared during their years as rivals and companions on the tennis courts.
Roger Federer acknowledged that he was surpassed by Nadal and appreciated their rivalry
“You beat me… a lot. “More than I managed to beat you,” are some of the first phrases that mark their historic rivalry. “I felt like I was entering your inner courtyard,” he noted in relation to their heads-up on clay, a surface that Nadal dominated over Roger and the vast majority of tennis players in his years at the first level.
Federer delved into the challenge and growth that his rivalry with Nadal entailed to improve his professional level: “You made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to stay strong. “You made me reimagine my game,” he wrote.
History shows that in official matches, the Spaniard had an advantage over the Swiss: 24 victories for Nadal compared to 16 for Federer. In that sense, Rafa triumphed in more finals when they had to share the court in a definition. The record is 14-10 for the winner of two Olympic medals (6-3 in matches for a Grand Slam title).
“Historical! “You made Spain proud… you made the entire tennis world proud,” Federer stressed about the impact his friend made on tennis in his country.
In addition, he recalled iconic moments they shared, such as that match in South Africa that broke attendance records or their joint participation in the Laver Cup 2022, in which Roger played his last professional match alongside Nadal as a doubles partner: “It meant everything to me that you were there by my side, not as my rival, but as my doubles partner”.
Finally, Federer let Nadal know that although life will soon find them outside the professional circuit, he will always be by his side. “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.”
