Federer writes emotional farewell letter for Nadal: ‘You challenged me in ways no one else could’

Rafael Nadal’s greatest rival and probably his best tennis friend as well – Roger Federer penned an emotional tribute for the Spaniard before he starts his farewell at the Davis Cup Finals 2024 in Malaga on Tuesday. There's no clarity on Nadal's participation but Spain will be playing against Netherlands in the Davis Cup Final quarter-finals on Tuesday on an indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga. Nadal announced in October 2024 that he would be retiring after the Davis Cup Finals .

Nadal’s tennis journey could come to an end on Tuesday if Spain lose to the Netherlands. If they win, then Spain will face either Canada or Germany in the semi-finals on Friday. The final is scheduled for Sunday.

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Before what could be Nadal’s final tennis match as a professional, Federer took to X to pay his tributes to the 22-time Grand Slam winner. Federer, a winner of 20 majors, in his social media post, admitted that Nadal “challenged me in ways no one else could” and that the Spaniard’s dominance forced the Swiss great to “reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.”

In 40 matches overall, Nadal defeated Federer 24 times.

Also Read | Nadal's tennis farewell: When will he play his last match, where to watch, and why is he retiring?

Federer also recounted the early years of Nadal’s career when he burst onto the stage and quickly ascended to the top and recalled the memorable moments with the Spaniard during exhibition events.

“I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together,” Federer wrote.

In Graphics | Why Rafael Nadal is retiring and his incredible tennis career

Federer ended with his memories of the 2022 Laver Cup when he retired after sharing with Nadal what was one of the most emotional moments in tennis.

Full text from Roger Federer’s letter to Rafael Nadal before the Spaniard’s retirement:

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 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 racquet head, hoping for any edge.

I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.

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…

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024

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 #1 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. 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.

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.

I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.

And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final 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’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.

Rafa that!

Best always, your fan,

Roger