Roger Federer has paid tribute to Rafael Nadal by posting a lengthy farewell message on social media ahead of the Spaniard’s impending retirement. He will bring the curtain down on his glittering career after representing Spain in the Davis Cup Finals.
It will certainly be an emotional week for Nadal, who will become the third member of the Big Four to hang up his racket for good. Federer, who retired at the Laver Cup two years ago, sent a heartfelt message to his former rival ahead of Spain’s opening match.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Swiss icon wrote: “As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me a lot. More than I managed to beat you.
“You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground.
“You made me reimagine my game, even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge. I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals.
“Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique, it was so you.”
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