Roger Federer Farewell to Rafa Nadal With an emotional message on social networks in which the Spanish tennis player thanks for all the joint moments on the courts, as rivals and friends.
“She hit me… A lot. More than I managed to win you”, Begins by emphasizing the Swiss extension when referring to Spanish. Federer admits that on clay, Nadal was almost unbeatable: “I felt like I was entering your inner courtyard.”
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Federer’s farewell words to Rafa show his admiration for an opponent who also made the Swiss better: “She made me work harder than I thought I could Just to stand firm. He adds: “It made me re-imagine my game .”
The Swiss does not hide the fact that thanks to Rafa , he had more fun on the slopes: “It made me enjoy the game more.”. Although Federer also emphasizes that he did not have fun at all in that duel in Miami, in 2004: “with the red tank top, that biceps shows, and She hit me convincingly.”.
Federer does not forget the 14 Roland Garros that Rafa Nadal raised throughout his career: “Historic! You have made Spain proud… You have made the whole tennis world proud.”
In his farewell words to Rafa, Federer is very grateful that the Manacor present was present at 2022 Laver CupThe last Swiss match: “it meant everything to me that you were there.” By my side, not as my rival, but as my husband’s partner.”.
Federer’s full letter to Nadal
Come on, Rafael Nadal ! As she prepares to graduate from tennis, I have a few things to share before I get excited.
Let’s start with the obvious: she hit me… A lot. More than I managed to win for you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was entering your inner courtyard, and you made me work harder than I thought I could just stand on the ground. She made me re-imagine my game, I even went so far as to change the size of the head of my racket, hoping to get some advantages.
I’m not a superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. The whole process. All those rituals. Put your water bottles together like Toy Soldiers in formation, get your hair done, and modify your underwear… All this with maximum intensity. Secretly, I liked everything. Because he was so unique,so was you.
And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.
Well, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, she reached the first place in the world rankings for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And you were, until two months later, when you walked into the stadium in Miami wearing your red shirt, showing off those biceps, and you hit me convincingly. All that noise that I heard about you, about this amazing young player from Mallorca, the talent of generations, who is likely to win a grand prix one day, was not just propaganda.
We were both at the beginning of our journey and it’s a journey we ended up having together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I must say: what an amazing line you had! Including 14 French Opens, historic! You have made Spain proud… You have made the whole tennis world proud.
I still think about the memories we shared. Promote sports together. He played that match half grass, half clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of over 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. We were always laughing each other out loud. We were getting tired on the court and then sometimes we had to literally hold our king during the Cup celebrations.
I still thank you for inviting me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I called myself. I knew you were too polite not to insist that I be there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for children all over the world, and Mirka and I are very happy that our children have been trained at your academies. They had a great time and learned a lot, like thousands of other young players. Although I was always worried about my children coming home playing tennis as prisoners.
Then there was London, the Laver Cup in 2022. My last game. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side, not as my rival, but as my husband’s partner. Sharing the court with you that night and sharing those tears forever 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 I’m done. At the moment, I just want to congratulate your family and team.All of them play an essential role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend always encourages you and that he will continue to encourage you with the same vigor in everything you do next. This is Rafa! Greetings and always, your fan Roger.
