Swiss tennis great Roger Federer says playing against Rafael Nadal forced him to ‘reimagine his game’ in a heartfelt tribute to his former rival. 

The two players have one of the most formidable rivalries in the Open Era after playing against each other 40 times over 15 years between 2004 and 2019. Nadal won 24 of those encounters, including 10 out of their 14 matches in Grand Slam finals. The duo ranks second and third on the all-time list for most Grand Slam titles won by a male player (Nadal has won 22 and Federer has won 20). 

Nadal will end his career this week at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga after spending more than two decades on the Tour. On the same day Spain will begin their campaign against the Netherlands, Federer has published an emotional tribute to Nadal, who is the only player have won the French Open 14 times.

“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” the 43-year-old wrote.

“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.”

Federer, whose first match against Nadal was at the 2004 Miami Masters, went on to praise the uniqueness of his former rival. 

“I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level,” he said.

“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.

“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. 

“All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.”

Nadal has won 92 ATP titles during his career, as well as five Davis Cup trophies. He holds the record for the longest streak spent in the top 10 (912 weeks) and is the only player to have won two or more major titles in three different decades. He is also the youngest player to have achieved a career Grand Slam after reaching the milestone at the age of 24 years, 3 months and 10 days. 

When Federer ended his career at the 2022 Laver Cup, one of his final matches was alongside Nadal in a doubles clash which he describes as one of the most ‘special’ moments of his career.

“There was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. 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.” He said, 

“Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success.

“And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.”

It is understood that Federer will not be travelling to Malaga to watch Nadal play his final match. 

Federer’s tribute to Nadal in full

Vamos, Rafael Nadal! 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. 

And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.  

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. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype. 

We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, 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.  

I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties. 

And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. 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. 

Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success.And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.  

Rafa that! 

Best always, your fan,  

Roger