Roger’s Rafa, Rafa’s Roger
Roger’s Rafa, Rafa’s Roger: When a great sport retires, it’s not often that their biggest adversary sheds tears.
Is it the image Roger Federer will forever remember from his final match?
Another possibility is a photo of Federer and Nadal sitting next to each other after a match, both men’s cheeks moist and eyes like a cloudburst.
Maybe it was how they laughed and held hands in the middle of the match after blowing a breakpoint.
Statement
Nadal had contradicted Federer in an Instagram live before the match, saying he felt “relaxed” rather than “nervous,” prompting the Swiss to ask rhetorically, “You are now?”
Many jokes were exchanged before, during, and after their match, becoming the backbone of the greatest bromance in tennis.
The two had a comedic scene in the locker room after Andy Murray failed to convert a break point against de Minaur. The atmosphere at the O2 immediately shifted when Tiafoe and Sock won. Federal was beginning to accept the seriousness of the situation, and his laughter was dwindling.
Historically, sporting farewells haven’t exactly hit the mark. In particular, those who strive for excellence. Federer’s final tennis match ended similarly to his previous ones.
Loss in a doubles match at the 2022 Laver Cup, scored 6-4, 6-7, and 9-11. It’s not like anyone cares about the outcome anyway.
Fans of the sport were treated to a farewell showdown unlike any they had ever seen as Roger Federer teamed up with Rafael Nadal. Maybe even more than they bargained for back then.
Federer said at a news conference on September 21st, “playing doubles with Rafa would be the most wonderful thing.”
Nadal expressed similar sentiments on Thursday when it was revealed that the fantasy scenario of two maestros with a combined 42 grand slams sharing the court at an ATP circuit tournament for the final time would indeed come true.
Quote
In his tennis career, Nadal was quoted as saying, “One of the most significant, if not the most important player, is departing. This is a tough time, but it’s the right time. Interacting with him as a playmate fills me with joy and gratitude.
The story began in Miami in 2004. With a 6-3, 6-3 victory, Nadal topped the defending Wimbledon and Australian Open winner.
At the time, Nadal had not yet won a grand slam.
A confrontation that would spark a twenty-year rivalry and nine grand slam finals.
They were stylistically as far to the left and right of each other as possible. Over time, though, the two began to see more in common than they did differently.
The two of us play the game in very different ways.
But in family and personal life, certainly not too different, no?” the Spaniard asked his Swiss companion during the press conference following their match on Friday.
For this reason, we can converse freely and openly and enjoy doing so.
Declarations
Over the course of so many years, I just don’t understand how we ended up here. Especially in the last decade,” Federer would explain.
The signs at London’s O2 Arena on Friday became steadily more tragic as the evening progressed.
When Alex de Minaur defeated Andy Murray, he gave Team World hope of mounting a comeback. It seemed possible that Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe would tie the score at two sets apiece. However, the evening’s focus would be on one of Tennis’ own.
As of that season, Federer was no longer a competitive player on tour. After 15 months, fans and athletes got one more opportunity to soak in Roger Federer and commemorate his more than two-decade-long dominance of the sport.
Facts
The value of humility is the same whether you’re winning or losing. When he was younger, he always seemed to be devastated by defeat. Even as an adult, he still cried whenever he triumphed.
So, he wasn’t going to change his strategy in his closing minutes on the court. Trying to express his gratitude to the numerous people who had done theirs for him, he alternated between sobbing and laughing. And Nadal was there, too, cheering him on along with his loved ones and adoring followers.
He took a step back from Federer for a second, maybe to prevent a nervous collapse.
One more moment of giving in to his feelings, of just holding his hands and sobbing uncontrollably alongside him as he says goodbye.
A competitor, coworker, or acquaintance who knew the man seated next to him and his loved ones had risked much to achieve this materialistic outflow of love. It was as close to a personal tragedy for him as possible.
Remarks
On Friday, while sitting next to the individual in question, Nadal stated, “When Roger departs the tour, certainly, a major part of my life is leaving too.” That one who sparked widespread interest.
Each and every time, he has stood by or in front of me during pivotal points in my life. Being with loved ones and friends has been very heartwarming and touching. Yeah, it’s hard to put into words.
To have had a role in this milestone in his career is a tremendous honor for me. Roger has always been my main competitor.
I joined the tour, and he was the guy I was assigned to shadow. Looking back, I can see how much he shaped who I am today. I believe that we have pushed one other to our full potential over the course of many years. Federer showed his assent by nodding his head.
What were the odds, one could wonder, in light of what has happened? To share this 4.5 billion-year-old planet with Federer and Nadal.
For both of them to be on the road at the same time for close to twenty years. They’ve met 40 times on the ATP tour and played a few more matches together. Remarkably, their stories have blended together like this in solo competition. We were indeed among the lucky few.
Read More: Roger Federer bids emotional farewell in doubles defeat alongside Rafael Nadal