Roger Federer marked Rafael Nadal’s retirement from tennis with a shifting open letter to his nice rival and pal. Nadal performed the ultimate match of his profession in opposition to Botic van de Zandschulp within the Davis Cup Last between Spain and the Netherlands. Nadal misplaced the match 6-4, 6-4, and Spain additionally misplaced the general tie. The 22-time Grand Slam winner was then honoured with a post-match farewell ceremony which featured tribute messages from fellow tennis greats, together with Federer. The Swiss, nonetheless, additionally put out a letter for Nadal on social media, which has since been universally lauded.
Federer and Nadal shared a rivalry that has usually been thought-about the best of all time in tennis(AP) Right here is the complete textual content of Federer’s letter:
As you get able to graduate from tennis, I’ve received a number of issues to share earlier than I possibly get emotional.
Let’s begin with the apparent: you beat me—quite a bit. Greater than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in methods nobody else may. On clay, it felt like I used to be entering into your yard, and also you made me work tougher than I ever thought I may simply to carry my floor. You made me reimagine my sport—even going as far as to vary the dimensions of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.
I’m not a really superstitious particular person, however you took it to the following degree. Your complete course of. All these rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy troopers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the very best depth. Secretly, I form of beloved the entire thing. As a result of it was so distinctive—it was so that you.
And you realize what, Rafa, you made me benefit from the sport much more.
OK, possibly not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 rating for the primary time. I assumed I used to be on prime of the world. And I used to be—till two months later, if you walked on the courtroom in Miami in your pink sleeveless shirt, exhibiting off these biceps, and also you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been listening to about you—about this superb younger participant from Mallorca, a generational expertise, in all probability going to win a significant sometime—it wasn’t simply hype.
We had been each in the beginning of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking collectively. Twenty years later, Rafa, I’ve to say: What an unbelievable run you’ve had. Together with 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the entire tennis world proud.
I maintain desirous about the reminiscences we’ve shared. Selling the game collectively. Taking part in that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance report by taking part in in entrance of greater than 50,000 followers in Cape City, South Africa. All the time cracking one another up. Sporting one another out on the courtroom after which, generally, nearly actually having to carry one another up throughout trophy ceremonies.
I’m nonetheless grateful you invited me to Mallorca to assist launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Truly, I form of invited myself. I knew you had been too well mannered to insist on me being there, however I didn’t need to miss it. You might have all the time been a job mannequin for youths around the globe, and Mirka and I are so glad that our youngsters have all skilled at your academies. That they had a blast and discovered a lot—like 1000’s of different younger gamers. Though I all the time nervous my children would come dwelling taking part in tennis as lefties.
After which there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My ultimate match. It meant all the pieces to me that you simply had been there by my aspect—not as my rival however as my doubles companion. Sharing the courtroom with you that evening, and sharing these tears, will without end be some of the particular moments of my profession.
Rafa, I do know you’re centered on the final stretch of your epic profession. We’ll discuss when it’s performed. For now, I simply need to congratulate your loved ones and staff, who all performed a large position in your success. And I would like you to know that your outdated pal is all the time cheering for you, and will probably be cheering simply as loud for all the pieces you do subsequent.
Rafa that!
Finest all the time, your fan,
Roger