“When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too,” Rafael Nadal said, unveiling his saddened feelings when Roger Federer made his last appearance as a pro. It has been more than two years to this moment and now the time has come when Rafa himself is ready to write the last chapter of his legendary tennis career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, set for November 19 to 24. It seems like the guest list would be sparkling enough.

On November 19th, Federer dedicated a heartfelt letter to Nadal, which had an equal share of their rivalry and friendship. “Vamos, Rafa! As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” Federer began. He praised Nadal for pushing him to his limits and forcing him to adapt. “You beat me a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could,” Federer wrote, highlighting how Nadal’s dominance on clay inspired him to improve.

Federer also penned down Nadal’s famous rituals and quirks as an attempt to add a touch of humor to the letter. “Your rituals, assembling water bottles, adjusting your underwear, fixing your hair… secretly, I kind of loved it. Because it was so unique—it was so you,” Federer wrote. He then recalled their first encounter in Miami in 2004, reflecting on the early stages of their careers.

“All that buzz I’d been hearing about you…it wasn’t just hype,” he wrote, highlighting how Nadal’s potential was evident from the very beginning. He acknowledged how their rivalry began with that match and blossomed into a shared journey that spanned two decades, culminating in Nadal’s 14 historic French Open titles. “You made Spain proud…you made the whole tennis world proud,” Federer added.

Federer reminisced about their off-court moments and unique collaborations. From the memorable half-grass, half-clay exhibition match to break attendance records in South Africa, Federer highlighted how their friendship transcended the court. He expressed gratitude for being part of milestones like the Rafa Nadal Academy launch and mentioned the lasting impact Nadal’s academy has had on young players, including his own children.

He also reflected on the emotional Laver Cup in 2022, his final match, where Nadal stood by his side not as a rival but as a partner. “Sharing those tears will forever be one of the most special moments of my career. I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next,” Federer concluded. This somewhere hints that Federer may grace Nadal’s farewell.

Nadal will represent Spain at the Davis Cup Finals alongside rising star Carlos Alcaraz and seasoned players like Roberto Bautista Agut. Fans from all across the globe are eager to celebrate his career one last time, as the Spaniard is currently stretching his legs to prepare for the anticipated event. With his retirement, tennis loses not just a champion but a beloved figure whose influence will resonate for generations. However, this wasn’t the only gesture that pointed at Roger Federer’s absence as a guest.

Rafael Nadal unveils if he’s expecting Roger Federer at the farewell event

Many fans are expecting Roger Federer to attend the event as Rafael Nadal prepares to bid farewell to professional tennis. Federer and Nadal share one of the sport’s most iconic rivalries and an enduring friendship. When Federer retired in 2022 at the Laver Cup, Nadal made sure to be by his side and even played doubles with him in an emotional sendoff. This history has added more hopes that Federer will attend Nadal’s retirement event as a spectator. However, Nadal’s recent comments have cast doubt on Federer’s availability.

When asked about Federer’s attendance during a Davis Cup interview, Nadal said, “I didn’t talk to Roger. I think Roger has busy schedule.” While confirming the Davis Cup would be his final professional appearance, Nadal hinted at future opportunities for farewells. “I don’t think [it’s] going to be my last good-bye. So gonna be another chances to do something,” he added.

Meanwhile, Davis Cup Finals director Feliciano Lopez revealed that Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, two of Nadal’s greatest rivals, have expressed their intention to attend. “I know that almost everyone in the world wants to be present for his farewell. Novak Djokovic posted on Instagram that he wants to be there, also Andy Murray wants to be there,” continued Lopez. “I don’t know if we’re gonna have seats for everyone, but as you can imagine all the tennis players that played in his time, they want to be there.”

Although there’s no confirmation of Roger Federer’s presence, recent updates point to the fact that he may or may not skip this one.