Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is set to play his last international match at the Davis Cup Finals on Nov. 19 before joining his retired mate, Roger Federer. In a note penned for Nadal before his final match, Federer recalled him as a competitor who made him "reimagine" his game.
"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," Federer posted on social media platform X.
"You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge," he added.
Both the legends shared an intense rivalry on field but are also known for the bonhomie they shared off field.
Federer, in his note, appreciated Nadal's authority over the sport of tennis, which was reflected by his dominance for several years. He also acknowledged Nadal's positive influence on him, as the latter pushed him to rethink his strategies. "Even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge," he wrote.
Rewinding to the past, Federer also wrote about their match in Miami and how convincingly Nadal defeated him. "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," he said.
Federer also spoke about his final match in London— Laver Cup in 2022. Rafa, as Nadal is also referred to, played the match not as his rival but as his doubles partners, making it a moment not just for Swiss legend to remember but for all the tennis lovers. "Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career," he said.
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…Rafal and Federer Rivalry
Federer and Nadal battled against each other 40 times. The Spaniard won 24 of their encounters.
During the Miami Open in 2004, both the players met each other for the first time. Nadal defeated the former World No. 1 with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
The two legends clashed with each other for the last time in the 2019 Wimbledon semi-final—a bout which was won by Federer.
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