Canadian Open Director Makes Huge Revealation on the Post-Retirement Life of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were recently seen together at Rafa's Roland Garros ceremony.

Canadian Open Director Makes Huge Revealation on the Post-Retirement Life of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Image via X)

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It feels like it has been a long time but the fans are coming to the one year anniversary of the official ending of ‘Fedal’ in the tennis world. Roger Federer ended his career in 2022, whereas Rafael Nadal bid farewell at the back end of last year.

Karl Hale, who is the director of the Canadian Open Masters, believes that the two legends of the game have different mindsets in their post-retirement life. Hale claims that Federer regrets not being able to play professional tennis whereas Nadal feels certain about ending his career. Hale said as reported by The Tennis Gazette:

I think for these athletes… I heard, for example, that Federer really regrets not being able to play anymore. I heard that he really regrets not being able to play anymore. But Rafa, not so much. Rafa is fine.

Federer had enjoyed a pretty injury-free career until 2016, when his knee started to bother him. Since then, he has had four knee surgeries on both of his knees. The abrupt transition into this situation seemingly overwhelmed the Swiss Maestro who at one point was certain that he wouldn’t have any surgeries.

Meanwhile, Nadal has had complexities with his physical condition right from the start. Many of the tennis seasons on the tour were hampered because of injuries. Eventually, the injuries took their toll in 2024, when he ended his career.

Roger Federer returns to Shanghai

Roger Federer has confirmed his participation in a doubles exhibition at the upcoming Shanghai Masters. The announcement came through his official social media channels. The Swiss icon will step back onto the court for a friendly match during the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season.

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

Since retiring in 2022, Federer has been active in public life but absent from competitive play. He attended Rafael Nadal’s farewell ceremony at Roland Garros earlier this year. Shortly afterward, he appeared in the Royal Box at Wimbledon to watch matches. This new event marks his first time swinging a racket in front of fans since his retirement.

The exhibition, scheduled for two months from now, is titled Roger Federer and Friends. It will bring together sports and entertainment figures for a lighthearted doubles match. Federer’s return is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament’s off-court attractions.

Joining him in the match will be Chinese actor Wu Lei and action star Donnie Yen. Also playing is Zheng Jie, a former doubles world No. 3 and winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon alongside Yan Zi in 2006. The event aims to mix top-level tennis skills with celebrity appeal for an entertaining showcase.

Rafael Nadal welcomes second child

Rafael Nadal has entered a new chapter in his personal life. He and his wife, Mery Perelló, have welcomed their second child. The news comes less than a year after Nadal retired from professional tennis in November 2024.

His retirement followed Spain’s Davis Cup quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands. Since stepping away from competition, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has been spending more time with his family.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

During his farewell ceremonies at both the Davis Cup and Roland Garros, Nadal reflected on his career and thanked his wife for her support. The Paris tribute was especially well-received, with some, including his uncle Toni Nadal, criticizing the Malaga event in comparison. Nadal and Mery’s relationship began when he was 19 and she was 17, and they have now been together for two decades.

The couple’s first child, Rafael Jr., was born in October 2022. On August 7, 2025, they welcomed another son, named Miquel. Close family members visited the hospital to meet the newborn. According to Spanish outlet Ultima Hora, Mery recovered more quickly from this birth than her first. Three days later, the family returned home together.

Mery’s pregnancy had been publicly known since April, though the baby’s gender remained a surprise. Nadal occasionally spoke about the upcoming addition to their family, including during his appearance at the 2025 Laureus Awards. With his playing days behind him, the tennis legend now looks forward to dedicating even more time to his wife and two sons.

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