The tennis great Rafael Nadal is getting ready to retire following the Davis Cup Finals, and Roger Federer has shared a heartfelt message for his longtime friend and rival. On Tuesday, November 19, Federer took to Instagram to consider their legendary rivalry and Nadal’s unmatched influence on the game.
Citing physical difficulties in recent years, 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal announced his retirement in October. In a video that was uploaded to X, he said that although the decision was challenging, he believed it was the right moment to end a career that had surpassed his expectations.
As two of tennis’ greatest players, Federer and Nadal have faced off more than 40 times and shared numerous memorable moments throughout the game’s history.
Federer wrote a lengthy note for Nadal on X and Instagram with touching words. He wrote: “Vamos, @Rafaelnadal. 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. 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.”
Federer further wrote: “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.”
Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
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…
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Currently ranked no.154, the Spaniard played his last match on the 29th of July when he was defeated by world no.7 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
This season Nadal has achieved a 12-7 win-loss record. Rafael Nadal’s best performance of the current season was getting to the final in Bastad.
Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Ranked world no.154, the Spaniard played his last match on the 29th of July when he capitulated to world no.7 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
This year Rafael achieved an overall 12-7 record. Rafael Nadal’s most significant result of the year was getting to the final in Bastad.
Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
