Multiple grand slam champion Roger Federer believes Rafael Nadal’s previous challenges on the tour will inspire him for his 2017 comeback.
The former world No.1 made a standout tribute to Nadal during the opening of the his new academy in Manacor, Spain. The Rafa Nadal Academy will feature 20 tennis courts and a hotel at the venue. Speaking during the official ceremony, an upbeat Federer admitted that his current absence from the tour has been easier than expected.
“I’m going through my first really big injury now and it has been fairly easy for me.” Said Federer during the opening ceremony for Nadal’s academy. “I’ve enjoyed my time at home. I’ve enjoyed seeing my family, the practice has been easy, but I don’t know how it’s going to be when I come back.”
Federer hasn’t played a match on the tour since his semifinal loss to Milos Raonic at the Wimbledon championships. The 35-year-old decided to end his season early in order to protect the health of his knee. Earlier this year Federer underwent arthroscopic surgery, which discovered that he torn his meniscus.
The misfortunes of the Swiss player this season are one that Nadal himself is all too familiar with. Nadal’s latest setback occurred during the summer when he missed almost two months of the tour due to a damaged tendon in his wrist. He returned back to action at the Olympic Games and has since only reached one quarter-final at the China Open in Beijing.
“You have done it a million times so there again, I can be inspired by you.” Said Federer to his Spanish rival. “How easily you always came back or you made it look easy. You always made it back in the top 10, top-five and even number one. So that’s something I’m going to be thinking about when I come back to the tour in January.”
Federer’s admiration for Nadal comes after what has been a 12-year rivalry between the tour men on the tour. Since their first meeting at the 2004 Miami Open, the two have battled it out on 34 occasions. Their most recent meeting was in the final of the 2015 Basel Open when Federer clinched the victory in three close sets.
EN DIRECTO en #Periscope: Roger Federer https://t.co/EXaaXrBu1Y
— David J. Nadal (@davidjnadal) 19 October 2016
