2013: Beating Federer the hard way
The quality of Nadal’s 2013 semifinal victory over Federer didn’t match his mastery of Murray three years earlier, but this win is notable: it is Rafa’s only conquest of Roger at the ATP Finals.
The legends collided four times at the season-ending championships, with Federer prevailing in the 2007 semis (a one-sided affair that featured a brilliant winner on match point), the 2010 final (6-3, 3-6, 6-1) and, in lopsided fashion, the 2011 round-robin stage (6-3, 6-0).
But in what would be their final meeting at this event, Nadal bested his one of his best friends, 7-5, 6-3, in just an hour and 19 minutes. It was Federer’s first loss to Nadal in five indoor matches, and it would be Nadal’s second-to-last win over Federer on a hard court (the last would come just a few months later, in the Australian Open semifinals). It also sent Nadal to his 14th final of the season—a career high.
“The most satisfying thing always is the tournament more than the personal victories,” said Nadal. “To be able to win the final is much more important than any victory against any opponent.”
While he wouldn’t go on to win the tournament, Nadal can surely look back on this performance proudly.
