“Just tells you how much it matters to him” Rafael Nadal commended on social media for being present at Roger Federer’s farewell despite his personal constraints
Follow Us
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion had a fourth-round exit at the 2022 US Open and had not played a single match since then. He had revealed about not being sure of his schedule after the US Open as he needed to be back home with his wife, Maria who has been dealing with a complicated pregnancy.
But surprisingly, Nadal played with Roger Federer in his farewell match in the doubles match on Day 1 of the Laver Cup. Federer had revealed his retirement plans to the Spaniard ahead of his announcement where he expressed his desire to make it possible anyway to come to the Laver Cup. Nadal, a great friend of the Swiss legend landed a day before the Tour began and be part of the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s farewell.
As Federer drew curtains and the day ended on an emotional note, Nadal withdrew from the Tour on the second day of the Laver Cup stating that he was only present to be able to be a part of his great friend’s farewell. He even stated that some much more things needed his presence with things very much stressful for him before he makes the final call to stay or go back to Spain. Cameron Norrie steps in for Nadal’s absence.
Tennis Twitter reacts to Rafael Nadal’s generous move to make it to the Laver Cup
Nadal and Federer were defeated in the much-anticipated doubles match against American pair Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in the tie-breaker. As soon as the match ended, the whole stadium turned emotional as Federer couldn’t control his emotions and broke down. But to see Nadal break down into tears and couldn’t stop crying the whole time which showed another level of camaraderie and respect they have for each other.
Nadal’s generous gesture of keeping aside his problems and being there with his friend during his final moments was much applauded on social media as it showed the amount of admiration between the two which is much beyond rivalry. Some even expressed it be one of the unique things that sport has ever seen while some were sad that it was the final time that these two legends were seen on the court together.
Stay Updated!
Prateek Pradhan
(601 Articles Published)