One of the most exciting relationships of friendships and rivalries that sport left behind was that of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, two of the best tennis players in history. Both only knew how to garner praise and admirers during their careers and each confrontation between them aroused sighs from both sides.
In this context, the legendary Swiss tennis player was recently consulted by a picture that they took during their match farewell at the end of September 2022 and that traveled the world. In it you could see both crying and holding hands, an image that moved the world.
“I have it at home, framed, in a space where I have some images of my career. I don’t want photos everywhere, so I have them in a specific area. And when I pass by her always catches my attention because it reflects our camaraderie, our friendship and also our rivalry, all in one image,” said the 42-year-old former tennis player.
“It is a moment in which We are both capable of reflecting on everything we had just experienced, remembering our career and how lucky we have been to be tennis players, to have been able to turn our hobby into a dream profession. That’s what that photo means to me. It was a great moment, short, holding his hand for a second, and basically, showing my gratitude through that touch,” said Federer, in dialogue with the newspaper. The countryabout the emotional moments he experienced in his farewell match in the Laver Cup.
That day had many moments of emotion. However, that small gesture that did not go unnoticed by anyone and generated tenderness in millions of fans around the planet: “The focus was maybe more on her (singer Ellie Goulding). Then, you almost forget that they are still taking photos of you,” he acknowledged on September 22 about that episode during an interview with The New York Times.
“Some photos came out of that moment. Not only that one, but also others, which were completely crazy. You know, with different angles, and I hope to get them because they mean a lot to me.”he commented.
On this occasion, on the occasion of the premiere of the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days which will be released on June 20 on digital platforms, the Swiss also spoke about the moment when He even thought about Nadal’s premature retirement: “There were signs that made us feel that Rafa was not well and that he was not going to last as long as he has. I didn’t think I could play beyond 37 or 38, and the same for him, but then you find a place again where you start to feel better.”
“I was worried that Rafa could go and, in fact, I thought I could do it after beating Medvedev (2022 Australian Open final); I thought maybe he would do it there or at Roland Garros. “I would have been incredibly happy for him, but at the same time it would have been a shock for me,” he said. Your Majestyalluding to the Spaniard’s recent defeat in the first round of the French tournament.
Finally, he spoke about how he will experience the withdrawal of Nole and the Spaniard from outside the circuit: “To be honest, after having played 40 or 50 games and having talked so much about them, Watching them end has to be hard. It will be hard”.
