Roger Federer has penned a heartfelt letter to his long-time rival Rafael Nadal, as the Spanish tennis legend prepares to retire at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Federer expressed his admiration and support, stating, “Your old friend is always cheering for you.”
Nadal’s farewell marks the end of an era defined by his intense rivalry with Federer, which saw them face off 40 times between 2004 and 2019. In his letter, Federer reminisced about their battles, particularly on clay, where Nadal often had the upper hand.
Federer wrote, “Vamos, @RafaelNadal! As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. You beat me – a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could.”
He continued, “You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racket head, hoping for any edge. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.”
The Swiss maestro reflected on their shared journey, highlighting Nadal’s remarkable achievements, including his 14 French Open titles. Federer also mentioned the impact Nadal had on his family, joking about his children potentially becoming left-handed players after spending time at Nadal’s tennis academies.
One of their most memorable moments was at Federer’s farewell at the Laver Cup in London, where they were seen holding hands and shedding tears. “It meant everything to me that you were there by my side – not as my rival but as my doubles partner,” Federer shared.
As Nadal approaches retirement, his old friend Federer cheers him on: “Always rooting for you.” With a hint of nostalgia, Nadal suggests a final farewell at the Tennis Finals in Malaga, saying, “It’s my last week on tour, but not my last goodbye.”
