Tennis legend Roger Federer has extended an invitation to his long-time adversary, Rafael Nadal, for a friendly match on their own circuit. Federer, who recently returned to the public eye with the Laver Cup – a team tournament he co-founded, similar to the Ryder Cup – taking place in San Francisco, has proposed this idea.
Federer bid adieu to professional tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup, playing his last match in doubles alongside Nadal. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has now humorously suggested establishing another series of events, dubbed the ‘Fedal’ tour, to compete with his greatest rival.
Nadal also hung up his racket at the end of last year, bidding farewell at the Davis Cup Finals. The Spanish player reunited with his old competitors earlier this year at the French Open for a special tribute ceremony honoring Nadal’s career and accomplishments.
Federer and Nadal have also spent time together on the golf course, and now, at 44, Federer is eager to bring Nadal back onto the tennis court.
When asked if he would initiate a senior tour with Nadal, the Laver Cup co-founder told CNBC: “Yeah, why not? I love Rafa. I played four hours of tennis the other day here in San Francisco, and then LA also another hour and a half before that. So I’ve been playing a lot so I’m trying to keep in good shape.”
The eight-time Wimbledon victor also believes Nadal is ready for some tennis action, despite the fact that he hasn’t picked up a racket since retiring last year.
“And I know that Rafa is also totally open to maybe play some tennis. It sounds terrible, seniors tennis, to us, but maybe we can create a tour, like a Fedal tour or something like that,” Federer added.
“I mean, it would be cool. I think that’s also one of the reasons I actually did start the Laver Cup, was to shine a light on the past greats of the game and maybe a seniors tour, we’ve had it a little bit in tennis.
“I think it was called the Champions’ Tour at the time, it did exist. But I think there is a lot of appetite for seeing past champions in tennis as well so I can maybe look into that as well.”
DON’T MISS…
Right now, the Laver Cup is moving full steam ahead. This weekend in San Francisco will host the eighth edition of the team competition.
For the first time ever, both Team Europe and Team World feature fresh captains this year – Europe will be guided by Yannick Noah and Tim Henman, while Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter will command the World squad.