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Rafael Nadal Confesses to Never Being the Same in Roger Federer’s Absence – ‘Part of My Life Left With Him’

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They have seen it all together over the span of 15 years of rivalry on the court. Rafael Nadal‘s relationship with his long-time rival, Roger Federer has been in the news ever since the Spaniard’s shocking admission of not considering the Swiss Maestro as his friend a few weeks ago. However, recently the 37YO Spaniard poured the highest level of praise for the Swiss Maestro.

Rafael Nadal attended a press conference ahead of his match against his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz at the Netflix Slam in Las Vegas. During the press conference, he spoke about how emotional he was with the announcement of Federer’s retirement in 2022.

“Never pushed me to any retirement” – Rafael Nadal reflects on the impact of Roger Federer’s retirement decision on his own career

Having played together for such a long period, both of them developed a relationship and fondness for one another. In fact, the Spaniard was among the first people outside Roger Federer’s family and team to learn about his retirement. Rafael Nadal said after hearing that he got a bit emotional as he felt an “important part” of his “professional life left.”

Nadal further went on to add, “First of all [I was] emotional because probably the most elegant player that I ever seen left the tour. Second, as I said before, a part of my life left with him.” However, he didn’t forget to mention, “But that thought never pushed me to any retirement.”

There have been several moments when these two tennis legends showcased their camaraderie publicly. During the 2010 US Open, Rafael Nadal called Roger Federer to be an example of all the good things and openly admitted that he tries to copy it. “I think is talk about if I am better or worse than Roger is stupid. Because the titles say he’s much better than me, so that’s the truth at that moment,” Nadal.

In 2013, the Swiss returned the favors during the Indian Wells. Roger Federer who was then the defending champion and Rafael Nadal was making a comeback after a gap of almost 7 months, spoke highly of the Spaniard. He stated, “I think of him as the great champion he is. And I expect him to win 99% of the matches he plays.” Last year, Roger Federer shed light on his relationship with Rafael Nadal. What did he say?

“He was in awe of me” – Roger Federer on Nadal
Roger Federer spoke about how they started to respect their rivalry during an event last year. He admitted he misses playing each other every weekend and called Rafael Nadal to be a “Great man.” Last year, Nadal was out for most of the season due to his hip injury. Federer wished him a quick recovery and hoped to see him back soon on the court.

Federer added, “I’m five years older than Rafa. So when I came on tour I saw young, junior Rafa come through and he was extremely good, very young.” He spoke about how respectful and shy Nadal was in his initial days.

“He was very in awe of me and everything I wanted to do with the tour. And my ideas, he was like: ‘You’re right’,” Federer. The Swiss revealed how their on-court bonding slowly spread to having a good relationship between the two families. Share which one is your memorable moment from their epic rivalry on the court.

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TENNIS

Rafael Nadal Says He Is ‘Close to Retirement,’ Talks Roger Federer Stepping Back from Professional Tennis

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Nadal spoke at a press conference ahead of his “The Netflix Slam” match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas Sunday

Rafael Nadal is sharing the impact of Roger Federer’s 2022 retirement and giving a little insight into when he might hang up his own racket.

Speaking during a press conference for The Netflix Slam in Las Vegas on Saturday the tennis legend, 37, said he had an “emotional” reaction to his longtime rival’s exit from the game as he talked about the impact it had on him.

“I got emotional because an important part of my professional life left,” the tennis great said. “At the end of the day with Roger, we shared our most important moments in our tennis careers probably playing against each other.”

Throughout their celebrated careers, the two men played each other 40 times competitively, and many of those matches were for Grand Slam titles. Naturally, they developed a relationship and fondness for one another. In fact, Nadal was one of the first people outside Federer’s family and team to learn about his retirement.

However, the former said on Saturday that his tennis peer’s exit from the professional game wasn’t a catalyst for any thoughts of stepping back from the game himself, though he explained that moment might not be too far away.

Rafael Nadal speaks onstage during The Netflix Slam media availability event at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on March 02, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“First of all [I was] emotional because probably the most elegant player that I ever seen left the tour. Second, as I said before, a part of my life left with him, but that thought never pushed me to any retirement,” Nadal said.

“What put me in a position to be close to retirement is my body more than anything else because in my mind is healthy in terms of passion for what I’m doing.”

On Sunday, Nadal will do what he loves, as he faces off against fellow countryman and phenom Carlos Alcaraz in The Netflix Slam, a live exhibition match at Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay.

After that match, the French Open awaits.

“The main thing for me is stay more or less healthy. If that happens, then we can analyze in what position in terms of level I am,” he said of the tournament on Saturday during a press conference with reporters.

September 19, 2019, Geneva, Switzerland: RAFAEL NADAL of Team Europe chats with the media prior to the Laver Cup tennis event in Geneva Switzerland. (Credit Image: © Christopher Levy/ZUMA Wire)

Nadal’s dominance on the legendary red clay court can’t be understated, as 14 of his 22 major wins came at Roland-Garros.

“I need at least to spend more time on the tour, at least to practice with the professional players and even if not playing many official matches, play practice matches,” he said on Saturday.

While tennis continues to be at the forefront of Nadal’s mind, so too does fatherhood. In October 2022, the tennis great and his wife, Mery “Xisxa” Perelló, welcomed their first child, a son named Rafael Nadal Jr.

“Everything is 100% new for both of us, for my wife and me,” he said of raising a child. “So you learn everyday things and everyday is unexpected… I’m enjoying a lot this part of my life.”

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Despite Strong Roger Federer Bias, Lindsey Vonn Hangs Out With the ‘GOAT’ Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells

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Lindsey Vonn and Roger Federer are two of the sports besties that every sports enthusiast is aware of. The two share a special bond and have been spotted together on numerous occasions. Be it appearing in a chocolate ad with the Swiss maestro or reuniting with him during Wimbledon, their friendship has been on display in several instances. However, in a recent update, the American alpine skiing prodigy was seen enjoying the company of another tennis legend, Novak Djokovic, during the ongoing Indian Wells Open in California.

Vonn has shared some heartwarming updates on her social media that can make her fans wonder if she has found another tennis pal in the Serbian legend. Their camaraderie has left everyone in awe.

When Lindsey Vonn met Novak Djokovic
On Sunday, the Minnesota native took it to X, shared a couple of pictures with Djoker, and penned down some really thought-provoking lines for him. She wrote, “Hanging with the GOAT , and yes, I do believe he is the goat. Contrary to twitter beliefs, I think there can be more than one. But @DjokerNole holds the records and I have nothing but respect for what he’s achieved… and he skis!” In these pictures the two looks super happy as they strike a pose for the camera. with a wide smile on their faces.

Vonn is known for being a strong-headed person, and she speaks her heart out on things that she thinks are right. This is one of numerous instances when the Saint Paul-based retired skier has been candid with her words. On the other hand, Djokovic is currently preparing for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he is looking to win his first major title of the 2024 season. If he manages to do so, he will join an elite list of tennis stars and will attain a rare milestone that not many have achieved, and he is surely one of the legends to watch out for at the Californian event.

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TENNIS

Fans react to recent Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal sighting

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Djokovic is flying the friendly skies with Nadal, and fans can hardly believe it

By now, tennis fans have seen or heard that Novak Djokovic posted a selfie with Rafael Nada on social media. The two were not practicing on a tennis court or strolling the grounds of a tennis facility. Instead, they were in the same airplane together traveling to California to prepare for Indian Wells.

How crazy is it that two of the greatest tennis players of all time are on the same commercial flight to the US? And by the way, shouldn’t Nadal be headed to Las Vegas first for the Netflix Slam against Carlos Alcaraz happening days before Indian Wells if Alcaraz is healthy?

Fans had plenty of humorous reactions to this odd coincidence. They took to social media to share them.

What fans said about the Djokovic and Nadal selfie
The first concern was about Roger Federer. While Fed is traveling in Thailand enjoying the fruits of retirement, Rafa is posing for airplane selfies with Novak. The Big 3 are perceived not to be close friends, but Roger and Rafa are friendlier with one another than either seems to be with Djokovic. Second, fans wondered what other passengers thought when they saw these two on their flight. Did people ask for autographs? Or did they ask for tips on their game?

Others wondered if this is the only type of sighting we will see of the pair this year. Is it possible they will not face each other on a tennis court? It is an unsettling thought that Nadal prepared us for, indicating that he may not be competitive in Grand Slams.

It is a testament to what Djokovic and Nadal have meant to the game for two decades that this type of selfie creates a reaction. Fans love these players even more so after all these years.

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TENNIS

Rafael Nadal reveals the two most important matches of his career – and one is surprising

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Rafael Nadal has revealed the two most important matches of his career and named one obvious choice, along with a more surprising selection.

The legendary Spaniard picked his epic 2008 Wimbledon final triumph over Roger Federer, as well as his painful defeat to Novak Djokovic in the gruelling 2012 Australian Open final.

Rafael Nadal in Brisbane

At the 2008 Wimbledon Championships, Nadal overcame his great rival, Federer, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 6-7(8-10), 9-7 in a thrilling final to claim his first title at the All England Club.

The contest is regarded by many as one of the greatest matches in tennis history and it saw Nadal win his fifth Grand Slam title and first outside the French Open.

In the final of the 2012 Australian Open, Nadal was edged out 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5-7), 7-5 by his other biggest rival, Djokovic, in an amazing and brutal encounter.

At an incredible five hours and 53 minutes, the marathon final — which is also considered an all-time classic — is the longest match in Australian Open history and the longest major singles final ever.

During his wide-ranging interview with La Sexta’s El Objetivo, Nadal addressed which matches stood above the rest from his remarkable career.

“Roland Garros is undoubtedly the most important tournament of my career. Concerning the special matches, it’s true that I have never experienced a five-set final in Paris,” the 37-year-old said.

“So I would say the 2008 Wimbledon final won against Roger Federer and the 2012 Australian Open final lost against Novak Djokovic. I lost, but I took a step forward in my career that day.”

The 22-time Grand Slam champion made his long-awaited comeback at the Brisbane International last month, where he reached the quarter-finals. The Mallorcan withdrew from the 2024 Australian Open due to a hip muscle injury that emerged during his defeat to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane.

Prior to Brisbane, Nadal had not played a singles match for almost a year — since losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open, where he sustained a hip injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to treat the psoas muscle in his hip in June 2023.

Nadal hoped to make his return from his latest setback at the ATP 250 tournament in Doha this week, but he was forced to withdraw.

“I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans, have always supported me greatly,” said Nadal in a social media post.

“Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014. I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”

The Spaniard is aiming to compete at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells next month, which will run from March 6-17. Before that, Nadal will play his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the ‘Netflix Slam’ exhibition in Las Vegas on March 3.

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TENNIS

Roger Federer illustrious tennis career to be unveiled in an intimate documentary

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The emotional conclusion of Roger Federer’s illustrious tennis career is set to be unveiled in an intimate documentary, initially intended solely for personal recollection but now slated for release on Prime Video.

Directed by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia, the film delves into the final 12 days of Federer’s journey, capturing his most vulnerable moments as he bids farewell to the sport that has shaped his life for over two decades.

Federer’s retirement, a poignant moment marked by his participation in the Laver Cup 2022, witnessed his closest rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray standing by his side as he took his final bow on the court.

The documentary promises an insider’s view into Federer’s emotional state during this period, offering unprecedented access to his relationships with his fellow tennis icons.

Originally conceived as a personal keepsake, the project evolved into a profound exploration of Federer’s farewell, providing viewers with an intimate glimpse into his world.

Reflecting on the transition from private memoir to public documentary, Federer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his story with a global audience, citing Prime Video’s expansive reach and influence in the film industry.

Federer’s retirement marked the end of a remarkable career marred by a prolonged struggle with a knee injury.

Despite his determination to overcome physical setbacks, the former world No. 1 ultimately made the difficult decision to heed his body’s signals and bid farewell to professional tennis.

Here is what Federer said of the documentary: “Initially, the idea was to capture the final moments of my professional tennis career so that I could have it later on to show my family and friends,” Federer explained. “During my career, I tended to shy away from having cameras around me and my family, especially during important moments. But I didn’t see the harm in shooting this as it was never intended for the public.”

Explaining his decision to turn it into a documentary for Prime Video, he added: “However, we captured so many powerful moments, and it transformed into a deeply personal journey. I am happy to be partnering with Prime Video because of their vast global reach and significant presence in the film industry. This ensures that the story of my final days in tennis will resonate with both tennis enthusiasts and broader audiences worldwide.”

His final appearance at the Laver Cup, surrounded by his esteemed colleagues, serves as a fitting conclusion to a legendary chapter in the sport’s history.

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TENNIS

Globe Trotting Roger Federer Ends Up in Thailand as Excited Fan Leaks His Secret Vacation Plans

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Roger Federer may have retired from tennis in 2022 but he has not kicked back his active lifestyle. Filling his schedule with several different activities, the Swiss legend was recently seen roaming around in South East Asia and enjoying the sights. While he is still a busy man, he always manages to find time for his fans.

This is not the first time Federer has treated his fans with love. He shared a post on his social media showing his dedication to his fans as he engaged with them on a sunny day. Now, he found himself in the midst of quiet fan frenzy in another country.

Roger Federer takes time out for his fans
Traveling around the world is a must for tennis players as they participate in tournaments all around the globe. One would imagine athletes would get tired of packing and unpacking bags year after year. But for Federer, the love of traveling does not change. He was recently seen in Bangkok, Thailand, but he did not visit the country just for a fun vacation.

Being Federer, there was no doubt he would be hounded by fans all around. Many fans came up to the 20x Grand Slam champ in Bangkok, and he made sure to take time out for them to give his signature and click pictures with them.

The workers of Poomjai Garden also took pictures with him and shared them on their Facebook page with the caption, “I cannot not post this. It’s a life event! Thanks @rogerfederer for visiting our garden @poomjai_garden #legend #rogerfederer #goat”.

Federer has fulfilled his fans’ desire to interact with him many times. He even has a fan club in his home country and often spends time with those who support him, and has a blast!

Federer has a legendary time with his fans
In September 2023, the Swiss tennis legend shared on social media how he met some of his followers while hosting a ‘fan day’ at Lake Lucerne for them. He posted, “Forever grateful for the legendary RF fan club. 🙏🏼 It was an honor to host a fan day on Lake Lucerne after so many great memories over the years. I can’t wait to see everyone again soon 🇨🇭⛴️”.

Along with a caption, Federer shared a picture of the cruise while he stood on the pier. The tennis maestro always manages to put a smile on the faces of his fans and did so once again recently.

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Fans delighted by the Swiss Roger Federer hitting the slopes with Lindsey Vonn

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Roger Federer and former Alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn hitting the slopes together in Switzerland has drawn cheers from tennis fans.

Federer retired from professional tennis in September 2022, concluding his illustrious career with an emotional farewell at the Laver Cup. He has since embraced an exciting lifestyle, frequently indulging in family vacations, making tournament visits, and gracing prestigious events like the MET Gala and Formula 1 Grand Prix with his presence.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion recently added another chapter to his post-retirement adventures, enjoying a skiing session with Lindsey Vonn. Vonn reflected on their time together on social media and deemed the former World No. 1 to be the “forever GOAT,” emphasizing his immeasurable impact on the sport over statistics.

Normally, people you look up to always let you down in one way or another, but not Roger [Federer]. Rog is the epitome of a true sportsman and champion in every sense of the word. We’ve been talking about skiing together for such a long time I wasn’t sure if it would happen…. But here we are; retired, skiing and enjoying life! Thanks for this memory Rog,” she wrote in a now deleted post on X (formerly Twitter).

You and your family are truly one of a kind and no matter what the statistics say (or Leo lol) you’re the forever GOAT because it takes a lot more than numbers to make the kind of impact you have, I’m just one of millions. Cheers my friend,” she added.

Fans were delighted by Roger Federer’s skiing session, with several of them humorously speculating about his potential return to tennis as his knee appeared to be in good shape.

Ok Roger, your knee is ok now. Time to go back to tennis,” a fan posted.

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Those knees looking good 👀 ready for exhibition with Carlos in the future!” another fan wrote.

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Meanwhile, other fans joked about the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s comeback being prophesized in ATP’s hilarious spoof sketch for the 2024 season.

Roger’s return was in the script for the 2024 season, wasn’t it?,” one fan commented.

Yeah, CGI. Somehow, Roger has returned,” another fan chimed in.

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Here are a few more reactions from fans:

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“Roger Federer can be my GOAT no matter what other people think” – Lindsey Vonn defends her comments amid backlash

Roger Federer

Lindsey Vonn declaring Roger Federer to be her “forever GOAT” sparked a heated debate within the tennis community, with Novak Djokovic fans in particular taking offense to her dismissing statistics in favor of granting the Swiss legend that title.

This backlash prompted the American to delete her tribute to Federer on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that she didn’t want the negative comments to tarnish her pleasant memory of skiing with the 20-time Grand Slam champion. She also emphasized her right to consider the former World No. 1 her GOAT regardless of other people’s opinions on the matter.

I wasn’t forced, I just didn’t want the negative comments ruining my memory. And the post wasn’t a comparison, it was a tribute to my friend who has made a big impact in my life. Everyone just freaks out when the term goat is used. He can be my goat no matter what other people think,” she posted on X.

With Djokovic also recently hitting the slopes, Vonn put an end to the raging debate by simply expressing her delight that both tennis legends enjoyed skiing.

I’m just happy they both enjoy skiing. Makes me happy!”

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TENNIS

Roger Federer-Influenced ‘Naïve’ Coaching Call Turns Into a Regret for Holger Rune’s Mother

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Hoping to get the best of both worlds, Holger Rune has hit a roadblock. After adding the former coach of Djokovic into his team, Rune went on to collaborate with the former coach of Roger Federer as well. However, in less than 2 months, both of them decided to part ways, and recently, the Danish tennis player’s mother, who is also her son’s manager, shared her regret over hiring Luthi as a coach for his son.

Severin Luthi was supposed to be in the courts with Rune throughout this year. But now, Aneke Rune has opened up about the wrong decision of having the Swiss coach on Rune’s coaching team.

Was Holer Rune’s collaboration with Roger Federer’s ex-coach a mistake?
For the past few days, the news of the 20-year-old tennis player splitting up with his coach has been grabbing a lot of headlines. Especially because the separation happened just 2 months after their partnership started. But now, the world’s 7th-ranked tennis player’s mother, in a podcast show, talked about the decision to hire the 42-year-old Swiss tennis legend’s ex-coach.

She said, “Maybe also we were a little naïve and also a little you know, starstruck, like saying, oh, Roger 20 grand slams, it’s not a problem to bring in a new coach. Clearly, this was naïve. But, you know, as I said, you can always be wise looking back.”

But now a lot of things are opening up in the same context. In the same conversation, she also dwelled in detail and talked about her son’s coaching collaboration with the Swiss coach. However, at the same time, she also shared her thoughts on how Severin Luthi wasn’t working out well for the 20-year-old tennis player.

Was working with Luthi not a good idea for Rune?
In this same podcast interview, Aneke Rune detailed how the past few months were not that easy for her son. She said, “If we look back, and you should revise backwards, if you could do that all the time, it would be easy, then, then it was not the right timing to implement new stuff, because the player is obviously more nervous at Grand Slams.”

Along with that, she also highlighted how she was not supposed to see Luthi even before going to Melbourne. While it was not easy to adjust to the changes that were brought by Federer’s former coach, they eventually split up.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Holger Rune splitting up with Roger Federer’s ex-coach? Share your views in the comment section below.

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“Sinner reminds me of Federer” – champion skier Lindsey Vonn

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The celebrated skier spoke about two tennis stars she knows well

Champion skier Lindsey Vonn says new Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner reminds her of Roger Federer.

Vonn knows Sinner because of his background in competitive skiing – and the Italian shared on social media some images of them skiing together back in 2022.

“I always thought it was really special that he was a former ski racer and that’s obviously where we connected,” Vonn told the ATP’s official website. “He’s a pretty shy guy, but he’s really humble and always super kind. I think he has just a great perspective on the sport and I think to a degree, some of that comes from skiing. We’ve talked about it quite a few times.

“He’s just a great athlete, very smart and I’m not surprised that he won Australia. I thought he would win before he did, but he’s someone that’s going to be around for a long time. And he really reminds me of Roger, to be honest.”

Vonn is a big tennis fan and has spoken before about being a fan of Pete Sampras, and then Federer. In 2017 she said of the Swiss: “Roger’s style and just the way he plays is just so graceful, he makes it so fun to watch,” adding: “For me as an athlete, it’s inspiring to watch. And meeting him after watching him for so many years, and seeing how humble he is and how much of a philanthropist he is, those are the kinds of things that I want to carry out in my life and in my career as well.”

VONN: SKIING TAUGHT SINNER TO BE FEARLESS
Sinner opted for tennis instead of skiing as a career, and Vonn talked about how the two sports compare when it comes to pressure and nerves.

“If he’s under pressure, and he’s got to serve, he’s got match point or something, the perspective is that if he misses the point, nothing is going to happen.

“It’s not like in skiing, where if you don’t take the turn right, you crash, and you could potentially hurt yourself very badly.

“So it’s the kind of fearlessness that he puts everything out there no matter what the situation. And that perspective, I think, is really different from most people, most athletes, and I think he uses that to his advantage.”

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