As the tributes to Roger Federer flowed thick and fast, it was the words of his greatest rival that resonated most deeply. Rafael Nadal, whose celebrated duels with the great Swiss came to define not only the sport but also the two great champions themselves, said he wished Federer’s retirement could have been forever deferred – pre-empting the thoughts of all within the tennis world and many millions beyond it.
“Dear Roger, my friend and rival,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world. It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.”
Over the course of nearly a quarter of a century in the game, Federer has locked horns with countless champions, from Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt in the early years, through the “big four” era that included Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, to more recent challengers like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. None defined Federer like Nadal, the musclebound Spanish matador to his cultured Swiss maestro, the yin to his yang, yet always the most respected – and respectful – of rivals.
When Nadal opened his academy in Majorca in 2016, Federer attended the launch. When Federer staged a charity match in Cape Town to raise funds for his foundation, it was Nadal he called – just as he did in the inaugural year of the Laver Cup, the Ryder Cup-style event that will form part of his legacy to the sport. Their careers have been entwined so deeply, and for so long, that no consideration of one could ever be complete without mention of the other.
In their pomp, Federer and Nadal would convene annually on the clay of Roland Garros and the lawns of Wimbledon, waging an extended battle for supremacy that reached its apogee at the All England Club in 2008. That Wimbledon final, won by Nadal in five sets, is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches of all time. When the Spaniard defeated Federer again six months later to claim his first Australian Open title, memorably comforting the Swiss as he broke down in tears during the trophy ceremony, it looked for all the world as though Nadal had his number.
Few would have imagined then that they would meet again eight years later on the same court, where Federer would recover from a break down in the final set to seal the fifth of his six triumphs in Melbourne. Federer would go on to win all but one of their last six meetings, the series eventually 24-16 in Nadal’s favour, yet it is a rivalry that will live on without end in the mind’s eye – and, one can only hope, in many a future exhibition match. For now, there will be one final tour-level reunion at the Laver Cup in London next week.
“We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that,” wrote Nadal. “For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London.”
While Federer’s jousts with Nadal will remain the most significant of his tennis life, the most prolific of his big-four rivalries was with Djokovic, winner of 27 of their 50 meetings and of four of the five major finals they contested. In a statement posted on his Instagram account, the Serb, who defeated Federer in three Wimbledon finals, praised the 41-year-old for his “integrity and poise”.
“Roger it’s hard to see this day and put into words all that we’ve shared in this sport together,” wrote Djokovic, who will also be involved at the Laver Cup as part of Team Europe. “Over a decade of incredible moments and battles to think back on. Your career has set the tone for what it means to achieve excellence and lead with integrity and poise.
“It’s an honour to know you on and off court, and for many more years to come. I know that this new chapter will hold amazing things for you, Mirka, the kids, all your loved ones, and Roger fans still have a lot to look forward to. From our family to yours, we wish you much joy, health, and prosperity in the future. Looking forward to celebrating your achievements and seeing you in London.”
The big-four tributes were completed by Murray, whose 14 defeats in 25 matches against Federer included finals at the US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon.
“He was an amazing player,” said Murray, speaking after Great Britain’s 2-1 Davis Cup defeat against the Netherlands. “I was lucky to get to compete against him in some of the biggest matches, in the biggest tournaments, on the biggest stages in our sport.
“At the time I probably didn’t appreciate it as much, but now, looking back, it’s pretty amazing. It’s incredible what he achieved, and also what Rafa and Novak have done. It’s a sad, sad day for the sport. Unbelievable career.”
What others said: tennis pays tribute to Federer
“A champion’s champion”: Billie Jean King, former world No 1 and winner of 39 major titles.
“Tennis will never be the same”: Stan Wawrinka, Swiss Davis Cup team-mate, winner of two majors.
“I love you, Roger”: Juan Martín del Potro, 2009 US Open champion, former world No 3.
“Thanks for the shared memories my friend”: Andy Roddick, former world No 1, US Open champion 2003.
“You will remain Fed forever”: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, former world No 5 and Australian Open finalist.
“Thank you for all the magic”: Martina Navratilova, former world No 1 and 18-time grand slam champion.
“The epitome of a champion”: Chris Evert, former world No 1 and 18-time grand slam champion.
“Humbled to play in the same era”: Sergiy Stakhovsky, former world No 31 who ended Federer’s run of 36 grand slam quarter-finals in the third round of Wimbledon in 2013.
“You inspired countless millions”: Serena Williams, former world No 1 and 23-time grand slam champion.
“One of my idols”: Carlos Alcaraz, world No 1 and reigning US Open champion.
1 comment
The thing with Roger AND Rafa is that when either loses to the other the fans can live with a win or defeat. Being a staunch fan of Rafa I could always take comfort in it that it was Roger after all that took down my man.
Never felt the same when especially it was The Joker who prevailed over Rafa.(or Roger)
Comments are closed.