Video - Nadal talks about Federer, "who has always been the man to beat," at the 2022 Laver Cup
The 2025 Laver Cup kicks off this Friday in San Francisco. Three years ago, it was in London that Team Europe and Team World faced off. But in 2022, the stakes were special as Roger Federer bid farewell to professional tennis during this tournament.
Absent for a year due to another knee injury, the Swiss player had decided a few days earlier to retire at the age of 41. Not featured in the singles lineup, he played his first doubles match alongside his former rival and friend off the court, Rafael Nadal.
Together, the two legends were defeated by Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. During a press conference during the competition, Nadal spoke about his relationship with the Swiss.
"It has been a long and positive adventure. When I came onto the circuit and started becoming a better player, he was always ahead of me. Roger (Federer) has always been the man to beat.
At one point, we were probably the greatest rivals, but always in a positive way. We respect each other a lot, and we haven't had any problems together. But it's true that the personal relationship improved year by year off the court, as we started getting older.
We have a lot of things in common, we have the same approach to life, even if on the court we have completely different playing styles. That's probably what makes our rivalry greater and more interesting. In everyday life, we trust each other, we talk very often.
Having the chance to talk to someone like Roger whom I can trust is really beautiful after all the things we've shared together and all the things we've fought against each other for so long.
I am very proud to be part of his career in some way, but I am even happier to end up as a friend after being his rival for so long," the Spaniard assured during the press conference.
