Federer pens emotional tribute to retiring Nadal

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Roger Federer paid tribute to his longtime rival Rafael Nadal on Tuesday as the Spaniard gears up for his last tournament in professional tennis at the Davis Cup in Malaga.

Federer and Nadal first competed against each other in the third round of the Miami Open in 2004 and went on to form two of tennis' so called "Big Three" along with Novak Djokovic, earning 42 major titles between them (Nadal 22, Federer 20).

Writing on X, the Swiss star praised the man who got the better of him 24 times in 40 matches.

"As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I've got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional," Federer said. "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 No. 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."

Nadal played a significant role in Federer's retirement in 2022, competing alongside each other at the Laver Cup in London in his last game.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played against each other in nine major finals, including an epic at Wimbledon in 2008. AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus

"My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side -- not as my rival but as my doubles partner," Federer said. "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."

Nadal is set to begin his farewell on Tuesday as Spain take on the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Spain's captain David Ferrer would not reveal whether or not the retiring icon would feature in either the singles or doubles, though he did practise with Carlos Alcaraz on Monday.

"If I'm on the court I hope to control my emotions. I'm not here to retire, I'm here to help the team win," Nadal told a news conference.