Roger Federer pours his heart out in farewell note for Rafael Nadal: ‘You challenged me in ways no one else could

Tennis great Roger Federer penned a heartfelt note for his good friend and biggest rival on the court, Rafael Nadal, ahead of his farewell event, the Davis Cup. The Spaniard has battled several injuries over the past few years, which forced him to decide to bid adieu to the tennis. However, there is still some uncertainty over his participation in the Davis Cup. He was often regarded as the King of Clay, considering his domination in the French Open.

Roger Federer pours his heart out in farewell note for Rafael Nadal: ‘You challenged me in ways no one else could’

HT Sports Desk
Nov 19, 2024 06:38 PM IST
Roger Federer poured his heart out while penning a note for Rafael Nadal where he wrote about facing the Spaniard in different phases of their career.

Tennis great Roger Federer penned a heartfelt note for his good friend and biggest rival on the court, Rafael Nadal, ahead of his farewell event, the Davis Cup. The Spaniard has battled several injuries over the past few years, which forced him to decide to bid adieu to the tennis. However, there is still some uncertainty over his participation in the Davis Cup. He was often regarded as the King of Clay, considering his domination in the French Open.

Roger Federer shakes hands and embraces Spain’s Rafael Nadal.(AFP)
Roger Federer shakes hands and embraces Spain’s Rafael Nadal.(AFP)

Nadal won his first major title in 2005 at his maiden French Open, two days after turning 19. He won his last, a 14th Roland Garros, 17 years later. He amassed 92 titles and was a two-time Olympic gold medallist despite playing in an era which also boasted Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the two other members of tennis’s dominant “Big Three” for more a decade.

Federer poured his heart out while penning a note for Nadal where he wrote about facing the Spaniard in different phases of their career.

“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, 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 racquet head, hoping for any edge. I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of 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. OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps.

“All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype. We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud. I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies. I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016.”