Roger Federer pens classy tribute to retiring tennis legend Rafael Nadal

Nadal will step away from playing after the Davis Cup Finals this week, and with the eyes of the world on the tennis great another of the sport’s iconic stars has offered his thoughts on the Spaniard’s dazzling career.

Federer and Nadal will be forever linked thanks to an epic rivalry that spanned 15 years and saw them contest nine Grand Slam tournament finals, with the US Open the only major competition where they did not go head-to-head for the trophy.

Nadal came out on top on six of those occasions and beat Federer in 24 of their 40 career meetings, but it was the Swiss who won the last of those meetings beating his rival in four sets in the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2019.

And in a public letter to Nadal posted on social media, Federer has hailed the man who made him “reimagine” his game.

“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” Federer posted on X.

“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 racket head, hoping for any edge.

“And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the number-one ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world.

“And I was – until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly.

“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.

“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.”

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