“I’ll be tired before I get on the court,” Roger Federer reveals why he was not as ‘intense’ as Rafael Nadal during his career

Federer also talked about the mutual respect players share.

“I’ll be tired before I get on the court,” Roger Federer reveals why he was not as ‘intense’ as Rafael Nadal during his career

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer is long retired from the sport and now is the right time when he looks back at his career while sitting atop a mountain which he climbed over the years. Along his way, Federer found a few tough competitors and Rafael Nadal was the first of them. The Spaniard challenged the master of grace with his grit and determination and Federer admires this trait of his rival.

While the two enjoyed the fiercest of rivalries on the tennis court, their bond is equally strong off the court now. Both Nadal and Federer never shy away from singing words of praise for each other and this time was no exception when the Swiss legend was asked about his style of play.

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As Federer was known for his ‘effortlessness’, he called it a myth and claimed that he just wanted to keep things in balance. The 43-year-old then cited his rival’s example and how high Nadal’s intensity was every time before a match. The 20-time Grand Slam champion said that he could not play that way because he would be tired.

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I think it's a great compliment to hear that because effortlessness is a myth, as we now know. Everyone is very different. For some, it's their only way of playing by showing that grit. For me, I needed the balance. I could not go through a career with Rafa's intensity. He’s running around the locker room getting intense. I was looking at him thinking: 'Jeez, I’d be tired before getting on court.
Roger Federer said in a BBC interview.

Roger Federer wants other three of Big Four to continue playing

Apart from talking about his game, Roger Federer then also talked about the mutual respect players share and the reason behind it. He said that players respect each other’s playing style and it is because they understand the efforts put in by others.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray (Image via Imago)

The Swiss maestro then talked about the three active players from the Big Four- Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray and hoped that they continue to play “forever”. Federer said that the tour is better with these still competing. 

I hope Andy, like Rafa and Novak, can keep playing forever, like a fan. The tour is better with them. I was watching Roland Garros last week and I was like: 'Wow, they're so good - I used to do that too!' I feel so distant to my career.
Roger Federer said.

Notably, although Federer wants the three players to continue, it seems really tough to see them playing even after a couple of years. While Djokovic is fighting hard to stay afloat on the tour, Murray and Nadal are on the verge of retirement with injuries troubling them. Nevertheless, fans can enjoy the legends till they are active.

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