'Meant Everything To Me': Roger Federer Pens Emotional Letter Ahead Of Rafa Nadal's Farewell Match

Rafael Nadal is in the final leg of his illustrious career as the 22-time Grand Slam champion will be hanging up his boots post the conclusion of Davis Cup 2024. Rafael Nadal will call time on a career with 22 grand slams including 14 french open crowns and 92 titles in total.  

As Rafael Nadal gears up for his retirement post Davis Cup, the Spaniard's rival and tennis legend Roger Federer has penned an emotional farewell letter for the ‘King Of Clay’. 

Roger Federer emotional letter on Rafa Nadal's retirement

Rafael Nadal's retirement tour will begin when Spain take on Netherlands in the Davis Cup finals tournament.  Ahead of Nadal's final stretch, Roger Federer took to X, to share an emotional goodbye to arguably one of the best tennis players sport has ever seen. 

Roger Federer took to social media to share his farewell message for Rafa Nadal. Federer looked back at all the memories the two greats of the sport shared together on and off the court.  Federer congratulated Nadal on a truly incredible career that defined tennis forever. 

“Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud,” wrote Roger Federer in his letter.  

Federer revisited his first defeat against Nadal and wrote, “OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #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 on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together”.

Roger Federer shares an excellent friendship with Rafa Nadal outside of Tennis. In his farewell letter, he mentioned how grateful he was to launch the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy alongside him and how his family is glad that his Children trained at Nadal's academy. 

Also Read | Rafael Nadal's farewell at the Davis Cup

Roger Federer thanks Rafael Nadal for partnering during his retirement

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal teamed up to play a men's doubles match during the Swiss maestro's retirement game at the Laver Cup 2022. Roger Federer thanked Rafael Nadal for being there for him during the encounter. 

“My final 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 forever be one of the most special moments of my career,” penned Roger Federer.

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As Rafael Nadal bids adieu to tennis, he does so as the second most decorated player in Tennis history after Novak Djokovic.