Rafael Nadal on Roger Federer: inspiration, rival, friend
Rafael Nadal talked about what he experienced at the Laver Cup from a distance: the talks beforehand, the emotional farewell on Friday and the importance of Roger Federer for his own career.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 26, 2022, 05:04 pm
If the 2022 Laver Cup can be summed up in one image, it certainly cannot be that of Team World's jubilant champions. Not even if they have won the team event for the first time since the Laver Cup has existed. No, what will be remembered beyond the confines of the event is Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer: brought to tears, sitting on the bench, hands clasped.
Gradually, in the coming hours, it should become clear how much this common distance meant to the two rivals, the exceptional talents. "He knew I was in a difficult situation, that my participation in the Laver Cup seemed almost impossible. On the 15th he announced his retirement, but ten days before that he called me to let me know what was going to happen." explained Nadal with some distance to the event.
Federer with a long phone call
The Swiss took a long time to explain his motivations and the last few weeks and months and to emphasize how important the presence of his long-term rival in London is to him: "He told me that he would be happy if we played his last game together could play if the situation allowed. At the time, even he wasn't convinced he was fit for the game until we spoke again and he told me he'd like to play a doubles match." According to Nadal, he himself was happy to be able to play the match with the 41-year-old.
This appearance is symbolic of the development that the rivalry between the two has taken over the years: "We had a very important sporting rivalry, but over the years, especially since we are people who have a certain affinity so many things that you have experienced together, in the end a love arises," said Nadal. "In that sense, as we got older we appreciated all the things that we experienced, we enjoyed the rivalry more now than when we started where the focus is on the ambition to win more."
Federer as a formative figure
All in all, Federer was a formative player in his career - also and especially off the pitch: "For me, he is not only a very important part of my professional career, but also someone who has always inspired me, from whom I have learned a lot and who took me further," explained Nadal. "Someone is leaving who has developed a very strong bond with me over the past ten years. We have experienced many things together, hundreds of moments together on and off the track."
That's why Nadal is happy to have experienced this last moment alongside active Roger Federer - and couldn't hold back his emotion afterwards: "I didn't see the pictures, but they were very difficult moments. I didn't want to cry, it was his time but I'm a sensitive person so seeing him so excited made it really hard for me." A legend, according to Nadal, left on Friday.