Roger Federer said goodbye to Rafa Nadal with an emotional letter on social media in which he thanked the Spanish tennis player for all the moments they shared on the courts, as rivals and friends.
“You beat me… a lot. More than I managed to beat you,” the Swiss tennis player begins by referring to the Spaniard. Federer acknowledges that on clay, Nadal was almost unbeatable: “I felt like I was entering your backyard”.
Federer’s farewell words to Rafa show the admiration for a rival who also made the Swiss better: “You made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to keep up.” He adds: “You made me reimagine my game.”
The Swiss does not hide the fact that thanks to Rafa, he had more fun on the court: “You made me enjoy the game even more,” he said. Federer also says that he did not enjoy that duel in Miami in 2004: “With your sleeveless red shirt, showing those biceps, and you beat me convincingly,” he said.
Federer does not forget the 14 Roland Garros titles that Rafa Nadal has won throughout his career: “Historic! You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud”.
In his farewell words to Rafa, Federer is very grateful that the Spaniard was present at the 2022 Laver Cup, the Swiss’ last match: “It meant everything to me that you were there by my side, not as my rival, but as my doubles partner”.
Federer’s full letter to Nadal
Let’s go,@RafaelNadal! As you prepare to graduate from tennis, I have a few things to share before I get excited.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me… a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways that no one else could. On clay, I felt like I was entering your inner courtyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my own. You made me reimagine my game, even going so far as to change the size of my racket head, hoping for some advantage.
I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Lining up your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All with maximum intensity. Secretly, I 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.Well, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached number one in the rankings for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was, until two months later, when you walked onto the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and beat me convincingly. All that noise I’d been hearing about you, about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, who would probably win a major someday, wasn’t just hype.
We were both at the beginning of our journey and it’s a journey we ended up doing 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 of the memories we shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that half-grass, half-clay match. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. We always made each other laugh out loud. We would get tired on the court and then sometimes we would literally have to hold on to each other during the trophy ceremonies.
And then there was London, the Laver Cup in 2022. My last 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 are focused on the final part of your epic career.
We will speak when you are finished. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team. All of them played a key role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering you on and will continue to cheer you on just as hard in whatever you do next. That’s Rafa! Greetings and always, your fan Roger.
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