Rafael Nadal Won’t Allow Roger Federer to Make ‘Fool’ of Him As He Needs Time to Avoid ‘Disaster’ Comeback

Rafael Nadal had a 24-16 win-loss record against his former rival and fellow retired player Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal Won’t Allow Roger Federer to Make ‘Fool’ of Him As He Needs Time to Avoid ‘Disaster’ Comeback

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer (Image via X/TNT Sports)

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Roger Federer and Tony Godsick are planning a Fedal Tour, which will see the Swiss maestro lock horns with his fellow retired colleague, Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard, however, needs some time to prepare so that he doesn’t allow his former longtime rival to make a fool of him.

Federer was the first member of the Big 3 to call time on his career after winning 20 Grand Slam titles. In his last official match, he played alongside Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup, losing the match to Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. Nadal joined Federer on the retirement list last year after Spain’s 2-0 defeat to eventual runners-up Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup.

The Fedal Tour is not a confirmed event at present. But if it takes place, Nadal, during his interview with El Larguero at the AS awards ceremony, said he would like to know all about it in advance so that he can prepare well for it, joking that he won’t let the 44-year-old beat him easily.

He’s been away longer, and me, in a year, I’ve literally played 45 minutes one day and 45 minutes another, to be honest. To come back on the court and not be a disaster, I would need some time. Honestly, he’s been training longer than me. I think he has something planned for January, so he’s been preparing for a while. I already told him in our last conversation that if we were going to do something, he needed to let me know a little in advance, so he wouldn’t make a fool of me on the court.

Rafael Nadal said

Nadal’s last singles match was against Nuno Borges in the final of the Nordea Open this year. The Spaniard lost that match in straight sets. The last title that he lifted was his 14th French Open title in 2022 by defeating Casper Ruud. Federer’s career’s last single match was against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the 2021 Wimbledon third round, with his last title being the 2019 Swiss Open, which he won by defeating Alex de Minaur.

Rafael Nadal gives fitness update after his practice session with Alexandra Eala

Rafael Nadal recently had a practice session with WTA ace Alexandra Eala at the Rafa Nadal Academy on his retirement anniversary. During that interview with El Larguero, when Nadal was asked about his return to the court post-retirement, he said he still experiences pain, which is making it difficult for him to continue playing.

Rafael Nadal and Alexandra Eala
Rafael Nadal was spotted hitting with Alexandra Eala (via Rafael Nadal/X)

Since I retired, I’ve only played an hour and a half of tennis. And that was in the last two weeks. I played with two girls from the academy. I felt like a pure sparring partner; I was just there as a sidekick because I was training for them. I had a good time; it was nice to pick up a racket, and more fun than the elliptical. I’d like to play once a week from now on, so I don’t have to start from scratch if I ever want to play again. I’m in pain, obviously, but by taking a lot of breaks, things are easing up.

Rafael Nadal said

Eala made history this year by becoming the first Filipino to make the semifinal of a WTA 1000 tournament. En route to her defeat to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula in the last four of the Miami Open, Eala knocked out Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. It was the six-time Grand Slam champion who had handed the 20-year-old her graduation certificate at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

Eala finished the season with 40/26 win-loss record. She won the WTA 125 Abierto Zapopan, and also reached the final of the Eastbourne International, losing that match to Maya Joint.

Also read: Serbian Davis Cup Captain Hints at a Potential Novak Djokovic Return For a Crucial Tie