Follow us on Google Discover Rafael Nadal was present when Roger Federer retired from tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Playing one final match before hanging up his racket for good, Federer partnered with his long-time rival Nadal in doubles at the Laver Cup.
The pair battled hard but eventually lost out in a match tiebreak 9-11, to Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Spain’s Nadal retired two years later, at the Davis Cup Finals, having failed to add to his tally of 22 Grand Slams after the Swiss ended his career.
Speaking today, Nadal has revealed what really happened to him when Federer retired from tennis in 2022.
Rafael Nadal says a part of him left with Roger Federer when he retired from tennis
During an interview with Korean media outlet ‘You Quiz’, Nadal shared how Federer’s retirement affected him.
“In some way, he has been an important part of my life,” said Nadal.
“He was my main rival for a long time at the beginning of my career.
“When he retired, a part of me left with him.
“It was quite emotional.”
Federer’s retirement was certainly emotional, as both he and Nadal failed to hold back their tears in London three years ago.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup
It wasn’t all that surprising to see the pair overcome with emotion, given the magnitude of their tennis rivalry.
Federer and Nadal contested nine Grand Slam finals between 2006 and 2017.
FinalWinnerLoserScore2017 Australian OpenRoger FedererRafael Nadal6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-32011 French OpenRafael NadalRoger Federer7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-12009 Australian OpenRafael NadalRoger Federer7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-22008 WimbledonRafael NadalRoger Federer6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-72008 French OpenRafael NadalRoger Federer6-1, 6-3, 6-02007 WimbledonRoger FedererRafael Nadal7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-22007 French OpenRafael NadalRoger Federer6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-42006 WimbledonRoger FedererRafael Nadal6-0, 7-6, 6-7, 6-32006 French OpenRafael NadalRoger Federer1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s Grand Slam final record
The 20-time and 22-time Grand Slam champions left tennis in a better place than they found it, entertaining a generation of fans with their efforts around the world.
Roger Federer wants to play Rafael Nadal in a legends match
During this year’s Laver Cup, Federer was asked if he’d consider playing Nadal on a ‘seniors’ tour.
“Yeah, why not?” he said.
“I mean, I love Rafa [Nadal], and I played four hours of tennis the other day here in San Francisco.
“I’m trying to keep in good shape, and I know that Rafa is also totally open to maybe playing some tennis.
“It sounds terrible, ‘senior’s tennis’ to us, you know, but maybe we can create a tour, like a ‘Fedal’ tour or something like that. I mean, it would be cool.”
Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, added fuel to the fire, sharing his thoughts on a potential ‘Fedal’ tour.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
“We’ve been talking with Rafa a little bit about putting together a tour,” he said.
“I think Rafa’s interested, I don’t want to speak for Rafa. But it would be great to see these guys out there.”
Whether or not the pair will face off again remains to be seen, but fans would certainly love to watch Federer and Nadal take to the court one more time.
Who won the final match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
Nadal and Federer may well meet again in an exhibition, but who won their last professional match?
The pair played their 40th and final ATP Tour match at Wimbledon in 2019, facing off with a place in the final up for grabs.
Federer took the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 [7-3], but failed to maintain his level in the second.
Nadal began to dominate proceedings and won the second set 6-1, to level things at one set apiece.
The Swiss legend wasn’t prepared to go down without a fight, however, and won the third and fourth sets 6-3, 6-4, to secure his place in the final.
Federer may have won their final match, but didn’t win their head-to-head, retiring with a 16-24 record against his Spanish rival.