Tennis legend Rafael Nadal continues to mourn Roger Federer 's departure from the sport after paying another pained tribute to his old nemesis.
Federer retired from the sport at the age of 41 in September and signed off with an appearance alongside Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup. The pair shared arguably the greatest rivalry in tennis and met on 40 occasions in total, helping shape the sport for much of the 21st century so far.
Nadal, 36, hailed the "important moments" he and Federer shared as both opponents and comrades on the court, including nine Grand Slam finals. The Spaniard has himself been linked with retirement following some injury struggles in 2022, though he still managed to win both the Australian Open and French Open titles.
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“When you have a rival like Federer, throughout your career – because when I started Roger was already there, it’s true I played more matches with Novak [Djokovic] than with Roger, but I started it with him [Federer]," Nadal told reporters. “Due to our contrasting styles and personalities, due to affinity, in some way we have shared so much.
“Someone I have admired, who I have rivalled and also I have shared many beautiful things on and off the court was leaving. In that sense, all those moments, those feelings you have before playing a final of a Grand Slam, of an important tournament, everything that was in the air before those matches. It was different from other matches.
“You know you’re not going to live that again and a part of my life left with him [when he retired]. It was also the emotion of saying goodbye to someone who has been so important to our sport.”
It was fitting that Federer played in a pairing with Nadal for his final outing as a professional player, surrendering a tiebreak defeat to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup. Neither icon could contain their tears during Federer's official send-off, clasping hands as the Swiss star bowed out of the sport.
Nadal and Federer first met at the Miami Masters in 2004, and a 2019 Wimbledon semi-final ended up being their last encounter on the court. One might imagine the transition away from tennis would be difficult for any player who has contributed so much to the sport, but Nadal is prepared for his next phase in life when it arrives.
“My time will come when it has to come,” he said. “I’m quite prepared for my next life outside tennis. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem for me beyond what will be an adaptation to the changes. My life has things equally or more important than tennis.”
