Ivan Ljubicic reveals the EXTENT to which Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would go for each other

Ivan Ljubicic spoke at length of Federer and Nadal's off-court friendship.

Ivan Ljubicic reveals the EXTENT to which Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would go for each other

(L)Ivan Ljubicic, (R) Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (Credits: LinkedIn/Tennis Majors)

Roger Federer’s former coach Ivan Ljubicic spoke in a recent interview about the Swiss Maestro’s special relationship developed with his rival Rafael Nadal. In spite of their fierce rivalry on the court, Ljubicic claimed that the two showed great camaraderie off-court and shared a brotherly bond.

Over the years, the two have collaborated on numerous tournaments, exhibition matches, business ventures, and so on. As a result, their friendship has only grown stronger over the course of their careers. “At first, they only had respect for each other. Over time, they realized they had shared many special moments. If Rafa called Roger tomorrow for something, he’d do it right away. And vice versa,” Ljubicic said in an interview.

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Federer and Nadal became on-court rivals a very long time ago. Ever since their first encounter in Miami 2004, where Nadal, then barely 18 years old, announced his arrival onto the tennis scene as he upset then World No. 1 Roger Federer. Since then, they have played many fierce encounters, with some of those matches conferred legendary status today.

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Nadal ensured that Federer would receive a heartfelt farewell at the Laver Cup, in spite of other commitments

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Laver cup 2022
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Laver Cup 2022 (Credits: The Independent)

On the opposite end of their careers, Federer decided to end his illustrious career by playing doubles with Nadal at the Laver Cup. It was also recently brought to light in an interview by Roger that Nadal was the first person outside his team to be notified about his retirement. Federer himself mentioned during his interview with Trevor Noah on ‘The Daily Show’ that Nadal agreed at once to compete at the Laver Cup at Federer’s request, in spite of him having recently been a father with his wife Maria Francisca Perello.

Ljubicic also spoke at length of the influence that the two, Federer in particular, have exerted on the sport. “No one will be able to come close, even remotely, to what Federer has given to this sport. He has received the award for the most beloved tennis player 19 years in a row and has won the sportsmanship award 13 times. I don’t think there’s been anyone in any other sport who has been as beloved and influenced as many others as he has.”

Ivan Ljubicic himself was a successful singles player on tour who had personally faced Federer multiple times. A former World No. 3, Ljubicic was the champion at the 2010 Indian Wells Masters. In 2016, Ljubicic joined Federer’s team as full-time coach and is usually credited with Federer’s improved backhand in 2017, and his renaissance at the majors since.

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