When we look at Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s relationship, there have been two aspects of it with one single commonality. Roger and Rafa were the fiercest of rivals on the pitch, and off the pitch, they are very good friends. Irrespective of them being each other’s rivals they had massive respect for each other.
How are we getting over this? @rogerfederer | @RafaelNadal | #RForever pic.twitter.com/cpOfSznp4X
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 24, 2022
After Federer’s retirement, Nadal was even spotted weeping alongside him and he stated that a part of him has gone with Federer.
Recently in an interview, Nadal mentioned that always considered Federer the man to beat and had massive respect for him. He further stated,
“Roger was always there in front of me,”
“For me, he was always the guy to beat. So at some point, we were probably the biggest rivals – I think always in a very good way”
We have never had any big issues and always respected each other and our families too. But our personal relationship has got better and better over the years, and we approach life in a similar way.”
Federer played alongside Nadal in his final tennis match at the Laver Cup in the O2 Arena.
Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer’s Team Europe lose to Team World in the Laver Cup
Even though Roger Federer lost his last ever match to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World, the match was extremely emotional and the fans paid their tributes to Roger Federer.
They lost the closely poised match with a 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9. This was only the second time wherein Roger and Rafa have played together. The first time they played together was during the 2017 inaugural edition of the Laver Cup. In 2017, Nadal and Federer defeated Jack Sock and Sam Querrey.
Congratulations, Team World.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/onmdmhwx4C
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 25, 2022
Friday night will also be remembered not only by Federer but also by the fans, the players and the entire tennis fraternity as well. Roger Federer almost singlehandedly transformed the sport of tennis and he received the respect he deserves.
Even after 14 months of inactivity, he did not seem rusty at all during the course of the match.