9 more days until ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’ arrives on Amazon Prime on June 20! Roger Federer‘s last match at the 2022 Laver Cup, the days leading up to it, and the aftermath – it’s going to be a teary ride. The documentary includes interviews with Federer, his family, and perhaps most interestingly, his arch-rivals. In addition to revisiting some iconic matches with Rafael Nadal, the Swiss maestro also sheds light on what it was like sharing the spotlight with him.

Every year from 2004 to 2023, the year-end World No. 1 was a familiar name – one of the Big 3. While Novak Djokovic leads the tally among the, Rafa and Roger had a special kind of relationship. Who can forget March 28, 2004, when 17-year-old Nadal defeated then-world number one, Roger Federer? It took the Spaniard just 70 minutes to bring an end to Federer’s 12-match winning streak. What a way to mark the beginning of an epic rivalry!

Perhaps that was a gentle reminder to Federer, that now he’s not going to sit “at the top alone“. It was not a place the Swiss maestro enjoyed as he called Nadal’s emergence in the racquet sport “a bit of a mind bender” in his latest documentary. The Spaniard’s arrival was a reminder of what was coming ahead in the Kingdom of Roger Federer. “I liked being at the top alone,” Federer said when he really felt his crown was in danger of a young Spaniard.

After that 2004 match, Roger Federer had said, “I’ve heard a lot about him and saw some matches of his. I think this is not a big surprise for everybody.” Federer and Nadal met 40 times in their career, and although the Spaniard led the H2H by a 24-16 margin, both players always ensured they created a moment to cherish for the fans whenever they faced each other. No other player has challenged Federer more than Rafael Nadal in his career, and vice versa.

But their rivalry was only restricted to the confines of the court. Outside of the court, they shared a strong bond of friendship.

They share a common love and affection towards each other which were clearly portrayed through their actions. Like for example, it was only Rafael Nadal among all the other players whom Roger Federer told about his retirement ten days before anybody else outside his family and management. 

They have won 42 Grand Slam titles altogether. Once there was a time when these two didn’t let others occupy the top two spots in men’s singles. But with every sunrise, there comes a sunset and Roger Federer had to finally take the call to hand up his racquets in 2022.

Speaking on that emotional moment, Nadal said, “The most important player in my career…is leaving.” The Spaniard had earlier stated that when Roger Federer leaves the Tour, an important part of his life will leave too. “Because all the moments that he has been next to or in front of me [for] are important moments of my life,” Nadal. Both players played a crucial role in pushing each other to be the best in the business.

Roger Federer says Rafael Nadal had a “big impact” on his sporting career

In 2018, during an interview with Perform, Roger Federer heaped praise on the Spaniard for his enormous contribution to pushing him to his limits and becoming one of the best. “Well, Rafa has had such a big impact on my sporting career. When I came onto the stage I was trying to find my way to world number one. Later on, he finally arrived in a big way because he was one of the best teenagers of all time, besides Bjorn Borg,” Roger Federer said. He knew straight away that Nadal was going to be his “legitimate rival” and also admitted his rivals prowess on clay.

Roger Federer later on thanked Rafael Nadal for helping him become a better player. He added, “I’m forever thankful to Rafa, he definitely made me a better player. Today I can also call him a friend.”

Although at first, Roger Federer felt it was better to sit “at the top alone“, the lure of a rivalry with Rafa Nadal was too good to resist!