On Saturday Rafael Nadal married his long-time partner Xisca Perello in an extravagant venue in Pollença, Mallorca. Although there was one notable person missing.
20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer was not present at the wedding, which included the former king of Spain among an estimated guest list of 350 people. The Swiss maestro dismissed reports last month that he would be attending. Saying that he was unaware of the when the wedding was taking place. Although he insists that both of them are on good terms.
“I was not invited to Rafa‘s wedding and did not expect it either.” Federer said during a recent interview with Blick. “I congratulated him on his wedding day, but did not expect him to write me back since he hopefully had better things to do like partying,I look forward to seeing him and ask him how it was.“
Few details have surfaced about Nadal’s special day. The couple were very adamant about having a private ceremony and ensured that would occur. Requesting that there would be a no-fly zone around the venue, which was granted, and asking those working there to sign a confidentiality agreement. Few photos have surfaced, but some have emerged on the website of Hola Magazine.
There is a chance that the two tennis superstars could become closer to each other when they retire from the sport. In a recent interview with Sportweek, which is run by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, Federer has hinted that he would like to once day teach at a venue his rival knows very well.
“They’ve (the media) been asking me for a while, I’m sorry, I still disappoint you … I didn’t decide when I’ll stop!” he said. “But I know, instead, what I will do once I have stopped playing. I would like to teach tennis to young people. And I would like to do it with the Rafa Nadal Foundation.”
Basel next
As his Spanish opponent embarks upon life as a married man, Federer’s immediate focus is on the upcoming Swiss Indoors. The 38-year-old is aiming for a record 10th title at the tournament. Something he has only ever achieved at one tournament so far in his career, which is Halle.
“You never think that you can win a tournament ten times and so dominate. It’s an incredible number.” The world No.3 reflects.
“I remember when Rafa did this in Monaco for the first time. Now I am in this position, but still far from reaching it. You have to play a tournament often and successfully. It must have something special, that it runs well and you always come back. Is it the conditions? The town? The public? At the end it is a combination of everything and that is certainly the case here in Basel.”
Federer is currently on a 20-match winning streak in Basel (excluding 2016 which he missed due to injury). His last loss was to Juan Martin del Potro in the 2013 final. He will be hoping to continue his winning ways tomorrow when he takes on Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk in the first round. The last time Federer lost his opening match in the tournament was back in 1998 against Andre Agassi.
“The preparation is a little less long. But if you win, you have more time afterwards. That’s why the start is very important.” He states.
The field in this year’s Swiss Indoors includes four top 10 players. Besides Federer, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roberto Bautista Agut are also playing.
