Retiring Rafael Nadal gets heartfelt message from ‘fan’ Roger Federer

Roger Federer has written a heartwarming farewell message to Rafael Nadal as the former World No.1 gets ready for his final tournament as a professional tennis player — Davis Cup, starting November 19, Tuesday. Nadal and Federer shared an iconic rivalry on the court, but remained friends off it.
Federer even had his retirement match — a doubles encounter along with Nadal as they teamed up in the Laver Cup in 2022. Taking to X, the Swiss great penned a special message to Nadal ahead of his swansong tournament. Federer began by acknowledging Nadal’s dominance over him, admitting that the Spaniard had beaten him a lot on the court.
The Swiss legend also credited Nadal for reigniting his love for the game and also opened up about the former World No.1 being his partner in his retirement match. Federer said it was one of the most special moments of his career to have Nadal as his partner in his final game. The Swiss legend concluded by saying he will be cheering on Nadal in his future work.
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“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, and you beat me convincingly.”
“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.”
“Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties. And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final 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’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next. Rafa that! Best always, your fan, Roger,” read the statement.
Federer and Nadal faced each other 40 times on tour, with the Spaniard winning 24 of their encounters. Their first meeting took place in 2004 at the Miami Open, where a young Nadal defeated the then World No. 1 Federer 6-3, 6-3 on hard court.
The two legends last clashed in the 2019 Wimbledon semi-final. Federer triumphed in four sets but ultimately lost to Novak Djokovic in an epic final.
On clay, Nadal and Federer battled 16 times, with the Spaniard dominating his favourite surface, winning 14 of those matches.