As Rafael Nadal approaches his final professional appearance at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga, Spain, fellow tennis icon Roger Federer has paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-time rival. On November 19, 2024, Federer took to social media platform X to honor Nadal’s illustrious career, highlighting his unparalleled achievements and the profound impact he has had on the sport.
“Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens — historic!” Federer wrote. “You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud.”
The rivalry between Federer and Nadal is one of the most storied in tennis history. They faced each other 14 times in Grand Slam tournaments, with Nadal holding a 6-3 advantage in finals. Overall, Nadal leads their head-to-head meetings with a 24-16 record.
“You beat me — a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could,” Federer continued. “You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.”
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, announced his retirement from professional tennis in October 2024, citing ongoing injury struggles that have hampered his performance in recent years. His final tournament will be the Davis Cup Finals, where he will represent Spain. The Spanish team, captained by David Ferrer, is set to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on November 19. It remains uncertain whether Nadal will participate in the tie, as the decision rests with Ferrer.
Reflecting on their shared moments on the court, Federer recalled Nadal partnering him in doubles during his own retirement at the Laver Cup in 2022. “It meant everything to me that you were there by my side — not as my rival but as my doubles partner,” Federer added. “Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.”
Nadal’s retirement marks the end of an era in tennis, closing a chapter that has seen some of the sport’s most memorable matches and rivalries. His contributions to tennis have been lauded by fans and fellow players alike, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport.
