During their tenure on the tennis court, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal created one of the most beautiful bonds. Not only are both of these players loved for their humongous individual achievements but also for the dynamic ‘Fedal’ friendship and rivalry. As much as tennis fans love to see them laughing and goofing around on the same side of the court, they equally love to watch this duo battle it out.
The Swiss Maestro and Spain’s Raging Bull might have several fundamental differences. Even amongst their style of play, Roger prefers the clay surface as Rafa claimed the grass and while Roger is a right-handed player with an elegant single-handed backhand stroke, Rafael is a lefty with a brutal double-handed backhand.
Federer’s touching words fueled Nadal’s determination
Rafael Nadal has already announced his comeback to tennis in 2024 and has revealed that he will be back playing the Brisbane International in December before hopefully participating at the Australian Open. There are hopes that the Spaniard will register another brilliant comeback on the ATP Tour like he did in the 2017 and 2022 seasons. The Spaniard won two Grand Slam titles in 2022 after a long sideline in 2021.
At the 2017 Australian Open, Rafael Nadal was coming back from an injury and had to perform exceedingly well to reach the final. In the final, he met his friend and rival Roger Federer, who was also returning from an injury. Roger Federer ended up winning in a 5-set thriller to win his 18th Grand Slam title.
After an entertaining match, Roger Federer congratulated Rafael Nadal and his team for their brilliant performance and start to the season. The Swiss maestro further added that he hoped Nadal wouldn’t stop playing because tennis needs him. Federer even stated that he would have been just as happy had Nadal won instead of him.
“I don’t think any of us expected to be playing in the Australian Open final when we met five months ago at your academy. There are no draws in tennis but I would have loved to share the trophy today with Rafa. Also, congrats to Rafa’s whole team. I hope you don’t quit because tennis needs you,” Federer said.
This touching statement from Roger Federer won the hearts of tennis lovers and fans all over the world. However, with Nadal training hard for a comeback in 2024, he will seek inspiration from his previous comebacks from injury and hope to start the season well.
Federer’s sealed 18th Grand Slam win in 5 set thriller at Australian Open 2017
It was perhaps the greatest likely triumph of his career when Roger Federer defeated his old rival Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final. The Swiss legend clinched his ultimate 18th Grand slam title in an epic five-set classic at the Rod Laver Arena.
With this breathtaking victory of 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 37 minutes, Roger Federer becomes the first man to take five or more titles at three grand slam events. At 35, he became the second-oldest man behind Ken Rosewall to win a major singles trophy.
After his Australian Open loss, the Spaniard won two Grand Slams that season shockingly. Nadal won the French Open and followed it up with a US Open title in New York to end the season on a high. These title wins rekindled his rivalry with Roger Federer as both tennis superstars competed for the highest number of Grand Slam titles.
