The tennis fraternity loves the great rivalry that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal share on the court. But with the rivalry, their friendship has also grown. The Swiss teacher has never stopped speaking highly of Rafa, and whenever the opportunity has presented itself, he has spoken of his friendship and how he has grown.
Federer is five years older than Nadal, so naturally he made it to the ATP Tour before Nadal. Federer has watched Nadal grow up with him, which has strengthened the foundation of their friendship. Federer and Nadal are two of the most experienced players on the tour, and that’s why they have their discussion about tennis, which always remains between them.
This is what Federer is so happy about, as he explained in 2019. “I watched it grow, right in front of my eyes. He’s one of the tennis boys, players, that I could call, and if I told him something, it would be a secret between the two of them.
And I appreciate that we were able to build a relationship like that. ”
Roger Federer remembers the first days with a shy Rafael Nadal
Federer rose to fame in 2003 with his triumph at Wimbledon, and two years later, Nadal won the French Open.
So their promotion almost coincided and so they have grown up and mastered tennis together. During this time, Federer remembered a shy Rafa Nadal, who agreed with everything Federer said.
“We went a bit in phases. At first, he was extremely shy and he was so … how do you say? – like, looking at me, he just said: ‘Whatever you say, Roger, I agree with you.
Because you are so important to the game. And I know you want the right thing to do, ‘”Federer said. As they dominated tennis on the court, off the court, their friendship developed and flourished with their rivalry.
And now they spearhead all the important decisions around tennis. “And over time, he became himself, the dominant player that he became, and began to build his own strong character.
… And then, of course, the rivalry began to build. ” Fans of both players love the camaraderie between the two and often call them ‘Fedal’. Fans will remember Federer’s speech after the 2017 Australian Open final where he said he would happily trade a tied match and share the title. with Nadal. Such views have heightened their rivalry with others.
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