
Roger Federer’s rivalry with Nadal is full of enough heavyweight clashes and dramatic moments to make a whole series of movies. Yet Federer does not think that such a movie will come to fruition “I doubt there ever will be a movie about Rafa and me.” Federer was speaking at the Zurich Film Festival, where the “Borg vs McEnroe” film was released.
Federer, who recently worked with Borg during Team Europe’s victorious run at the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague, was also asked who he would like to play him should a Federer-Nadal film ever be suggested.
Federer sportingly gave a few examples of ideal candidates “But if there is, I’d like Matt Damon, Leo DiCaprio, or a James Bond like guy to play me.”
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe’s rivalry captured the imagination of a generation with the ice-cool Swede Borg a contrast to the young and brash McEnroe. The pair played out a number of epic matches including memorable meetings in the Wimbledon finals of 1980 and 1981. Bjorg’s win over McEnroe in 1980 is often regarded as one of the greatest matches of all time. McEnroe would come back to end Borg’s run of five straight Wimbledon titles by defeating the Swede in the final of 1981.
Nadal and Federer’s 2008 Wimbledon final is also often cited as a contender for the greatest match of all time. Nadal, who had never won Wimbledon, raced into a two-set lead over five-time defending champion Federer. After a rain delay Federer came back to take the third set tiebreak, before claiming the fourth set tiebreak after saving match points. Nadal then broke late in the evening as darkness fell to dethrone the Swiss and claim his first Wimbledon title.
Nadal and Federer have both won each Grand Slam title at least once and are currently the No.1 and No.2 ranked players on the tour.