While waiting for the big event of the Olympic Games, Rafa Nadal was the protagonist of an interview in which he spoke about Federer
Not even two years have passed, yet it seems like a lifetime ago. 21 months have passed and it seems like yesterday. September 23, 2022 is a date that all tennis fans will never forget: it is the day on which Roger Federerone of the most beloved champions in history, has hung up his racket.
On that late summer evening at the O2 Arena in London, to the general emotion of the audience, the Swiss champion played his last match. Curiously a double, in that Laver Cup which is the same Federer contributed greatly to creating in 2017and whose name is clearly a tribute to the Australian tennis legend capable of completing the Grand Slam twice, unique in history.
For his farewell to the sport that has given him so much glory and wealth, the Basel champion wanted none other than Rafa Nadal at his side. The rival of all time. The player with whom he experienced one of the most exciting rivalries in the history of tennis and sport. The Swiss and the Spaniard, linked by a deep relationship of mutual respect, teamed up – a very rare event in their careers – for the last time on a tennis court.
Nadal reveals a background story on Federer: fans moved
Protagonists, just a few weeks ago, of a commercial for an advertising campaign shot in the Dolomites, Nadal and Federer found themselves, amidst laughter and jokes, talking about their first meeting.
And also their respective careers. In addition to telling a large amount of anecdotes mostly unknown to the general public, the two champions also talked about an often overlooked aspect: the importance of being remembered in a certain way.
Now that the Spanish champion’s retirement is fast approaching, it’s time to take stock. He did it first, revealing the contents of their meeting with the microphones off, the left-handed man from Manacor who recounted, in his Academy in the Balearics, part of the discussions he had with his friend-rival.
“Some time ago I had the opportunity to visit the Dolomites in Italy together with my friend and rival Roger Federer. There in the mountains we had an interesting conversation about a word that I think is very important: legacy“, began Nadal.
“How would we like to be remembered in a few years? What do we want future generations to think of us? We were both very confident in our answers. It’s nice that our successes, titles and records are recognized, but, as the years go by, it’s likely that someone new will come along and do it better. What matters is therefore how we will be remembered. We both want to be remembered as good people. The people around you should see you as someone to copy for your values“, concluded the Spaniard, moving the spectators present.
