The second of future has arrived: after this week tennis might be totally different, as a result of there might be no extra Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to play on their beloved tennis courts. The curtain falls on the duopoly that has rewritten the historical past of tennis, that has thrilled thousands and thousands of followers around the globe. It should occur as of late in Malaga, on the Davis Cup Finals, when the Spanish champion, in entrance of his crowd, will give his farewell to tennis, after a protracted and wonderful profession.
It isn’t but recognized whether or not Federer will attain Malaga to assist his buddy and rival of a thousand battles, however the Swiss Maestro has already honored Rafa with a lovely letter, shared via his social media, and that you could learn beneath. These are shifting phrases, which inform of a friendship, a rivalry, an period that has skilled sturdy adjustments, each in tennis and in on a regular basis, social and financial life. A twenty-year interval through which now we have seen tennis change and, on the identical time, the world. And in Roger’s phrases to Rafa, an emotion that all of us carry inside us resonates. I don’t deny that I shed a tear, studying Federer’s letter.
“As you put together to graduate from tennis, I’ve just a few issues to share earlier than I get emotional. Let’s begin with the apparent: You beat me, loads. Greater than I ever beat you. You challenged me in methods nobody else may. On clay, I felt like I used to be moving into your yard, and also you made me work more durable than I ever thought I may simply to carry my floor. You made me reimagine my sport, even altering the dimensions of my racket head, hoping for a bonus.
I am not a really superstitious particular person, however you took it to the following stage. Your entire course of. All these rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy troopers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear. All with full depth. Secretly, I type of beloved all of it. As a result of it was so distinctive, so that you. And you recognize what, Rafa, you made me respect the sport much more.
OK, possibly not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached the No. 1 rating for the primary time. I believed I used to be on the high of the world. And I used to be, till two months later, once you stepped out onto the court docket in Miami in your crimson sleeveless shirt, exhibiting off these biceps, and beat me convincingly. All that hype I had heard about you, this wonderful younger participant from Mallorca, a generational expertise, who would in all probability win a significant someday, wasn’t simply hype.
We have been each originally of our journey and we lastly did it collectively. Twenty years later, Rafa, I’ve to say: what an unbelievable run you’ve had. Together with 14 historic French Opens! You’ve made Spain proud, you’ve made your entire tennis world proud. I maintain desirous about the reminiscences we shared. Selling the game collectively. Enjoying that match on half grass and half clay. Breaking the all-time attendance report taking part in in entrance of greater than 50,000 followers in Cape City, South Africa. We at all times cracked up. We might tire one another out on the court docket after which typically we’d virtually actually have to carry one another up throughout trophy ceremonies.
I’m nonetheless grateful that you simply invited me to Mallorca to assist launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. The truth is, I virtually invited myself! I knew you have been too well mannered to insist I be there, however I didn’t wish to miss out. You’ve gotten at all times been a task mannequin for youths everywhere in the world and Mirka and I are so joyful that our children all educated at your academies. They’d a lot enjoyable and realized a lot, like hundreds of different younger gamers. Though I at all times feared that my youngsters would come house taking part in left-handed tennis.
After which there was London, the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant every part to me to have you ever there by my facet, not as my rival however as my doubles companion. Sharing the court docket with you that evening, and sharing these tears, will ceaselessly be one of the vital particular moments of my profession. Rafa, I do know you might be centered on the ultimate stretch of your epic profession. We’ll discuss it when it’s over. For now, I simply wish to congratulate your loved ones and your crew, who’ve performed an enormous position in your success. And I need you to know that your outdated buddy is at all times rooting for you, and might be rooting simply as laborious for every part you do subsequent.”
Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get able to graduate from tennis, I’ve received just a few issues to share earlier than I possibly get emotional.
Let’s begin with the apparent: you beat me—loads. Greater than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in methods nobody else may. On clay, it felt like I…
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024
