Roger Federer's retirement brings an end to his iconic rivalry with Spanish great Rafael Nadal, but 'Fedal' will live on among the fans as one of the greatest battles in professional sport, leave alone tennis.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met as many as 40 times on the tour (AFP Photo)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 16, 2022 11:40 IST
Roger Federer's retirement announcement brings an end to his iconic rivalry with Spanish great Rafael Nadal, nicknamed Fedal, that has wowed fans for almost two decades while enhancing the viewing experience of the game among millions across the world.
Federer vs Nadal is to Tennis what Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali is to Boxing, Tyson Gay vs Usain Bolt is to Athletics: One of the greatest in the history of not just tennis but individual sport.
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Federer and Nadal are the only players in the history of men's tennis to have finished No. 1 and No. 2 in the ATP rankings for six consecutive years. Nadal stepped up when Federer was at his peak and making every other tennis player look ordinary.
March 16, 2004, was the date when Roger Federer, already World No.1, met the 17-year-old Rafael Nadal on a court for an official match in doubles in Indian Wells. Nadal's team won in three sets (5-7, 6-4, 6-3), and never did Federer lead that head-to-head: 24-16 for the Spanish great.
LEAD GOES TO NADAL
Both legends have met each other 40 times on the court but Nadal leads the tally 24-16 against Federer, including 14-10 in finals.
If we break down the overall scenario, Nadal and Federer have played 20 matches against each other on hard court, 16 on clay, and 4 on grass.
Nadal is the leader when it comes to clay (14-2) and outdoor hard court (8-6), while Federer leads on grass (3-1) and indoor hard court (5-1). A total of 14 matches have been in majors with Nadal leading 10-4. Nadal leads 6-0 at the French Open and 3-1 at the Australian Open, while Federer leads 3-1 at Wimbledon. The two have yet to meet in the US Open.
Nadal vs Federer rivalry is not just about numbers. It is about the ability of both legends do not yield an inch in any battle that makes this rivalry legendary. Tennis fans goodness for the Nadal vs Federer rivalry and thank goodness for the duo to make the sport of Tennis one of the best spectacles in the modern era.
NADAL VS FEDERER: TITLES
In his professional career, Roger Federer has won 103 ATP titles, which can be split down as follows:
20 Grand Slams, 6 Masters, and 28 Masters 1000s.
24 ATP 500; 25 ATP 250
Additionally, he shared a 2014 Davis Cup victory with the Swiss team.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, he earned the silver medal in singles, while at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he and Stan Wawrinka won the gold medal in doubles.
In addition, he has lost 54 finals, including 11 Grand Slams.
Published By:
Saurabh Kumar
Published On:
Sep 15, 2022
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I'm an avid tennis enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport and its history. My passion for tennis extends to a comprehensive knowledge of legendary players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. I've closely followed their careers, memorable matches, and the impact they've had on the game.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Roger Federer's retirement and his iconic rivalry with Rafael Nadal:
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Fedal Rivalry:
- The article highlights the iconic rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, often referred to as "Fedal." This rivalry is compared to other legendary sports rivalries like Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali in boxing and Tyson Gay vs Usain Bolt in athletics.
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Career Achievements:
- Federer and Nadal are noted as the only players in the history of men's tennis to finish No. 1 and No. 2 in the ATP rankings for six consecutive years.
- The article emphasizes Nadal's rise during Federer's peak, making them dominant forces in the sport.
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Head-to-Head Matches:
- The head-to-head record between Federer and Nadal is highlighted, with Nadal leading 24-16 in their 40 meetings.
- Breakdown of matches on different court surfaces: 20 on hard court, 16 on clay, and 4 on grass.
- Nadal's dominance on clay (14-2) and outdoor hard court (8-6), while Federer excels on grass (3-1) and indoor hard court (5-1).
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Major Tournaments:
- The article provides insights into their performances in major tournaments, with Nadal leading 10-4 in 14 meetings.
- Nadal's superiority at the French Open (6-0) and Australian Open (3-1), while Federer leads at Wimbledon (3-1).
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Rivalry Beyond Numbers:
- The article emphasizes that the Nadal vs Federer rivalry goes beyond numbers, highlighting the intense battles and the refusal of both legends to yield in any match.
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Titles and Achievements:
- Roger Federer's professional career achievements, including 103 ATP titles, 20 Grand Slams, 6 Masters, and 28 Masters 1000s, are mentioned.
- Additional details on ATP 500 and ATP 250 titles, Davis Cup victory, Olympic medals, and finals statistics.
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Retirement Announcement:
- The article announces Roger Federer's retirement, marking the end of an era in tennis.
The Fedal rivalry is portrayed not just as a statistical battle but as a testament to the unwavering determination and skill of two tennis legends, making it one of the greatest spectacles in the modern era of the sport.
