In his heartfelt words, Federer revisited the start and end of his and Nadal’s careers as rivals. He recalled the first time the two even played, in Miami in 2004, where a 17-year-old Nadal announced himself by beating then-world No. 1 Federer in the third round, as well as the last time they shared the court together for Federer’s own farewell match.
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“All that buzz I’d been hearing about you about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype,” recalled Federer of that day in Key Biscayne.
Eighteen years later, at Laver Cup in London, Federer said goodbye to tennis, and Nadal stood by his side as his Team Europe teammate and doubles partner.
“Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career,” Federer wrote.
