The definition of the Davis Cup to be played in Malaga, Spain, it will not be just another tournament in the history of tennis. As he himself announced, It will be the last professional tournament in Rafael Nadal’s glorious career. The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles will say goodbye to the sport with the aim of once again conquering the Silver Salad Bowl.
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.
“You beat me… a lot. “More than I managed to win from 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.
In one of the paragraphs of the letter, RF delved into the importance that Rara had for the growth of his career due to the need to improve himself. “You made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. “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 Rafa 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.”
The complete letter from Roger Federer to Rafa Nadal:
As you prepare to graduate from tennis, I have a few things to share before I get excited.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me… a lot. More than I managed to win from 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.
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.
Well, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached number one in the rankings for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was, until two months later, when you walked onto the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and beat me 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 major one day, wasn’t just publicity.
We were both at the beginning of our journey and it’s a journey we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible streak you’ve had! Including 14 French Opens, historic! You made Spain proud… you made the entire tennis world proud.
I keep thinking about the memories we have shared. Promoting sport together. Playing that match half grass, half clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record playing in front of over 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. We always made each other laugh out loud. We would get tired on the pitch and then sometimes literally have to hold ourselves up during trophy ceremonies.
I still thank you for inviting me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal 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 have trained at your academies. 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.
And then there was London, the Laver Cup in 2022. My last match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side, not as my rival, but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night and sharing those tears will forever be one of the most special moments of my career. Rafa, I know you are focused on the last part of your epic career.
We’ll talk when it’s over. For now, I just want to 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.
