Roger Federer recently shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal, his old rival and now good friend.
Nadal’s 2024 season has been a rollercoaster with many ups and downs. He tried to make several comebacks, but some were more successful than others.
It wasn’t the best year for him; he faced tough draws and had minor injuries that set him back . Drawing Alexander Zverev in the first round of Roland Garros was tough, and facing Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Paris Olympics didn’t help either.
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Nadal’s Tough Season
Had Nadal gotten easier opponents, he might have won more matches, making his year much better. Federer mentioned feeling a bit sorry for how things turned out for Nadal during an appearance on ‘Today’. He understands these challenges well since he also had a failed comeback attempt.
“I actually just spoke to him this last week,” Federer said. “He wanted to ask me something, and we had a chat. I felt a little bit sorry for him because his summer didn’t go as planned. At the French Open, he had a tough draw. Olympics, he had a tough draw as well. He was hoping to get a medal.”
Nobody knows what’s next for Nadal; even Federer is uncertain about it. Many think Nadal might retire soon, but Federer believes it’s up to Nadal to decide when he’s ready.
Fans might feel sad if Nadal retires soon.
If Nadal chooses to keep playing, tennis will welcome him with open arms. If he decides it’s time to retire, everyone on the ATP Tour will celebrate his career. Federer called him one of the most iconic tennis players ever.
“But you know,” Federer continued, “overall he can do whatever he wants. He’s been one of the most iconic tennis players we have ever had in our sport and that’s what I told him. So I just hope he can go out on his terms and the way he wants to.”
Their bond has grown strong over many years from fierce rivals to close friends—something neither probably expected but both cherish deeply.
Federer’s retirement at Laver Cup was emotional for Nadal; it showed how close they’ve become over time—a beautiful end to one of sports’ greatest rivalries turned friendship .
What do you think about their friendship?