Roger Federer’s emotional farewell letter to Rafa Nadal before he retires

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer They starred, for nearly two decades, one of the most bitter and emotional rivalries in tennis history. They started as enemies and ended as friends.

And that’s why today, a few hours before the Balearic tennis player debuts (a priori, it’s in today’s game against the Netherlands) in what will be his last tournament as a professional tennis player, the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, The Swiss said goodbye to Rafa Nadal with an emotional letter published on his social networksInstagram and ‘X’, where he thanks the Spanish tennis player for all the moments shared on the courts, as rivals and, finally, as friends.

Roger Federer’s full letter

“Come on, Rafa!

Now that you are getting ready to leave tennis, I have a few things to tell you before I get sentimental.

Let’s start with the obvious: you won me over a lot. I was more than able to beat you. You challenged me in a way no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was walking in your backyard, and you made me work harder than I thought I could handle. You made me rethink my game, even down to changing the size of my racket head, in hopes of gaining some advantage.

I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your entire process. All those rituals. Carrying your water bottles like toy soldiers in training, fixing your hair, fixing your underwear… Everything is at maximum intensity. Secretly, I loved everything. Because it’s so unique, so are you.

And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game more.

Okay, maybe not first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached the number 1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was, until two months later, when you walked onto the court in Miami in your red tank top, showing off those biceps, and I lost convincingly. All the rumors I heard about you – about this incredible young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, who is likely to win a major one day – are not just exaggerations.

We were both at the beginning of our journey, which we finished together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: You had an incredible career. Including 14 French Opens, historic! You make Spain proud… You make the whole tennis world proud.

I can’t help but think of the memories we shared. Promote sports together. Playing matches on half grass, half clay. Broke the all-time attendance record by playing in front of over 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always makes us laugh. Tired of each other on the court and sometimes having to hold each other almost literally during trophy ceremonies.

I am still grateful that you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I invited myself. I know you’re too polite to insist that I be there, but I don’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for children around the world, and Mirka and I are very happy that all our children have trained in your academies. They had a great time and learned a lot, like thousands of other young players. Although I always worry that my kids will come home playing tennis left-handed.

And then there’s London, the 2022 Laver Cup My last match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side, not as my rival, but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will be one of the most special moments of my career.

Rafa, I know you are focused on the last part of your epic career. We’ll talk when it’s over. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and your team, who played a big role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend always encouraged you, and will encourage you just as strongly in everything you do next.

Rafa.

Greetings always, your fan,

Roger