Despite being on the wrong end of the result, Federer described the match as a ‘really special moment’, “The really special moment was when I was world No.1 in 2004, we played in Miami and he actually beat me, which was maybe a surprise to some.
“I had sunstroke, but he still beat me fair and square. That was cool to see the young players come up, with [Andy] Murray, [Novak] Djokovic also coming through at that time.”
The Swiss added, “That first match will always be very meaningful, even though I lost it. And it’s been a great rivalry, like so many great players. But Rafa, with his playing style and attitude on court at such a young age, was not like everybody else. You could feel there was something special coming for sure.”
Federer may now be retired from professional tennis, but Nadal is still gearing up to play Roland Garros in just over a weeks time.Inside the baseline…It is really great to see the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal turn into a budding friendship, and this interview is the perfect example of that. With Nadal in the latter stages of his career now, it is important for tennis fans to treasure the likes of himself, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, as there will never be players like them ever again.
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