Roger Federer wrote a beautiful retirement letter to Rafael Nadal

Former tennis legend Roger Federer has published a long emotional letter on social media. The publication is addressed to the Spanish Rafael Nadal.

One of the all-time greats, Nadal will end his professional career in front of his home crowd in the Davis Cup knockout stage in Malaga this week.

Federer wanted to honor his rival before retiring. The rivalry between Federer and Nadal brought tension to the tennis courts between 2004 and 2019, when the two faced each other 40 times.

Federer tells how Nadal beat him often, more often than he could beat Federer. And how Nadal’s game made him modify his own game for the better.

“You challenged me in ways no one else could. The field felt like stepping into your backyard. You made me work harder than ever to keep up. You made me rethink my game.”

Federer beautifully describes Nadal’s game and the rituals associated with it, from arranging water bottles to adjusting underwear.

In his text, Federer remembers shared moments and joint activities for the sport. Like breaking the attendance record in Cape Town where they played in front of 50,000 fans.

Federer ended his career at the Laver Cup in London in 2022.

“It meant everything to me that you were by my side – not as a competitor, but as a singles partner. Sharing the field and tears with you that night will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.”

At the end of the text, Federer promises that “the old guy” will cheer Nadal loudly, and will cheer him on no matter what he does in the future.

In my career Nadal, who has won 22 singles grand slam tournaments, has also celebrated four Davis Cup championships in Spain’s shirt.