"Showing Off Those Biceps...": Roger Federer Pens Emotional Note For Retiring Rafael Nadal

One of the greatest sportsmen of all time, Rafael Nadal, prepares to say 'au revoir' to the game that made him a legend. The man who dominated the French Open as if it was his backyard, draws curtains to an illustrious career with the Davis Cup finals 2024. Seeing Nadal hold the tennis racquet in his hand for one final time as a professional, the entire sporting fraternity is emotional. While the sporting world is bound to miss him as he moves from the game, there isn't a rival of his who is going to enjoy his exit. Roger Federer, arguably the biggest rival Nadal has faced on the tennis court, penned an emotional note as the 38-year-old prepares for his final showdown in the court.

In his nearly 600-word post, Federer recalled facing Nadal for the first time on the tennis court, when a boy from Mallorca stepped into the clay court and made it his own. Here's his post:

Vamos,

@RafaelNadal!

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.

Vamos, @RafaelNadal!

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