This is one of the most emotional weeks for tennis – and sport in general – in decades. Rafa Nadal puts an end to his legendary career on the slopes, with a glorious record that he hopes to further improve with a final one – the sixth for him – Cup Davis. Malaga From this Tuesday you will see the last moments of the Balearic player with the racket as a professional.
Nobody wanted to miss it. There have even been rumors that he might appear there Roger Federera great rival and even more a friend of Nadal for many years. The Swiss’ busy schedule could have prevented him, but Roger, faithful to the chivalry that accompanied him throughout his career, did not want to stop paying tribute to Rafa before the emotions overflowed.
Federer woke up this Tuesday devoting a long letter to his friend. He took to social media to share it, and nothing was left out. From the memory of their first duel to this historical image that they left in the wash Cup 2022, goodbye from Roger, crossing other memories and some confessions. It is a text that will excite all fans of tennis and Rafa Nadal’s career which is coming to an end as a professional.
From Roger to Rafa
Come on, Rafa!
As you prepare to move on to 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 could get from you. You challenged me like no one else could. On clay, I felt like I was walking into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could, just to hold on. You made me reimagine my game, even changing the size of my racquet head, in hopes of gaining an advantage.
I’m not a very superstitious person, but you’ve taken it to the next level. Your entire process. All these rituals. Gathering your water bottles as if they were toy soldiers in training, combing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All this with maximum intensity. Secretly, I loved it all. Because it was so unique, and so were you.
And you know what, Rafa, you made me appreciate tennis even more.
Okay, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached first place 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 field in Miami in your sleeveless red shirt, showing off your biceps, and beat me convincingly. All that rumor I had heard about you, about this incredible young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, who would probably win a major tournament one day, was not just publicity.
We were both at the beginning of our journey and we finished it together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to tell you: what an incredible career you had! Including 14 historic Roland Garros! You have made Spain proud… you have made the entire tennis world proud.
I keep thinking about the memories we shared. Promote sport together. Play this game half grass, half clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record playing in front of over 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always makes us laugh out loud. Exhausting yourself on the pitch and sometimes having to almost literally support each other during trophy ceremonies.
Thank you again for inviting me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. In fact, I invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist that I be there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for children around the world and Mirka and I are very happy that our children trained in your academies. They had a great time and learned a lot, like thousands of other young players. Even though I was always afraid that my children would come back to play tennis being left-handed.
And then came London, the Laver Cup in 2022. My last match. It meant everything to me to have you by my side, not as a rival, but as a doubles partner. Sharing the field 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’ll talk when it’s over. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and your team, who played a key role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is encouraging you and will continue to encourage you just as strongly in everything you do next.
I always wish you the best. your fan,
Roger.
