On September 23, 2022, Roger Federer played his last match. So, it’s exactly two years! That was the last time we saw both Federer and Nadal share the court. And ever since that day, fans have been counting the days to relive those moments once again in their lives. Although the Swiss has time and again pushed away all the speculations of his comeback on the tennis court citing his knee issue, his super agent and creator of the Laver Cup, Tony Godsick recently gave the fans a glimmer of hope. 

During an interview with Marca on September 22, the interviewer questioned, “Since the new Santiago Bernabéu was built, there have been many rumors about the possibility of Nadal and Federer playing an exhibition match. Is this a real option?” In reply, Godsick said, “Since Roger retired, he has not wanted to play another match until he feels physically fit.” Federer faced quite a lot of injuries towards the end of his career and had undergone four surgeries. In a clip from his documentary, ‘FEDERER: Twelve Final Days’, we saw him in crutches after undergoing surgery on his knee. It was from 2020, and then he made a comeback and played in 2021 and then a few months in the 2022 season.

According to Godsick, “I think of the record number of spectators they set in South Africa. We like to do great things. If there is the option of beating that record one day, I am sure Roger will consider it.” Previously, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal shattered all the tennis attendance records during ‘The Match in Africa’ in 2020 in South Africa, with 51,954 spectators attending that match. That is still the highest attendance ever recorded at a tennis match. However, it would be even bigger if these two manage to play at the home of Los Blancos in the near future.

Godsick further added, “They both like to work together and I like working with Carlos Costa. I have very good memories. We did the half-grass, half-clay exhibition in Mallorca… Everything is possible in the future.” For those who aren’t a soccer fan, Santiago Bernabeu is the home of the Spanish soccer club, Real Madrid and recently it underwent some renovations. The stadium currently holds a seating capacity of nearly 85,000 people. So, it will surely be a record for the highest-attended tennis match if these two steps onto the iconic ground in the near future. We know Spain has a tennis culture and just imagine the scenario if this speculation turns into a reality!

After creating that record in Africa, we heard Roger Federer say, “It was an absolute pleasure to share the court with Rafa again, but the first time here in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa.” Even Nadal expressed his excitement to feature in this historic match. The Spaniard stated, “It’s a lifetime experience playing in front of such an amazing crowd in an amazing stadium. It was a big pleasure for me to be part of it.” Santiago Bernabeu has 33,046 seats more than that venue in Cape Town, so fingers crossed! Let’s hope for the best.

Roger Federer has time and again mentioned that he is ready to come out of retirement to take part in an epic contest with Rafael Nadal. Can we ever see them back again at the Laver Cup?

Is there a possibility of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal taking up captaincy roles at the Laver Cup?

In June this year, Roger Federer said “I don’t think we’ll play doubles together at the Laver Cup, but if he (Rafa) asks me, I’ll definitely be there.” However, later on, Rafael Nadal had to withdraw his name from the completion due to injury concerns. As a result, fans were yet again deprived of witnessing these tennis greats altogether at the Uber Arena in Berlin.

We don’t know when will we get the chance to see them taking on each other once again on the courts. However, Godsick has a dream related to these two and the iconic Laver Cup tournament. During that same interview with Marca, he was asked, “Do you see Nadal as the captain of Team Europe in the future?” In reply to this question, Tony Godsick said, “My dream is for Roger to be captain and Rafa to be assistant, and then the other way around. This way, they would be in charge for longer.”

He further added, “The rivalry they had on the court was very special, but I think their friendship off the court is even more special. They are a clear example that all competitors can get along.” We saw how they cried each other by holding each other hands during Roger Federer’s farewell match at the Laver Cup. These things are very rare among the rivals who spend most of their time competing against each other. Tennis being an individual sport, makes it even more difficult to create a bond outside the court. These two are really exceptional!

It has been more than two years since Federer’s retirement and even Nadal isn’t much active on the Tour anymore. So chances are quite slim, but fans are still willing to hope for the best. Share your thoughts on witnessing yet another exhibition match between two of the fiercest rivals in the tennis world.