![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rafael-nadal-opens-up-on-his-rivalry-and-friendship-with-tennis-legend-roger-federer/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SPORT-PREVIEW-Nadal-Federer.jpg&description=THE RAF & THE SMOOTH Published : 12:04, 11 Jul 2023 Updated : 12:15, 11 Jul 2023 RAFAEL NADAL previously revealed that his legendary rivalry with Roger Federer remained on the court - because they are good friends off it. The pair - often referred to collectively as 'Fedal' - are the two most-successful male tennis players of all time with a combined 42 Grand Slam singles titles. 4 Rafael Nadal revealed he is good friends with Roger Federer, despite their fierce on-court rivalry Credit: Reuters But with their careers intertwined since Nadal burst onto the scene in 2004 until Federer's retirement last September at 41 , the Spaniard was adamant that they get on really well after sharing the limelight for so many years. Nadal, who misses Wimbledon this year due to a hip injury , previously said: "It's a rivalry, of course, but it's also a friendship. "We're having a great story together. We have had long careers. Facing each other in the most important tournaments for such a very, very long time. "Creating positive things for charity, playing in special events like we did in Cape Town in South Africa like we did a few weeks ago." Federer won the first meeting between the pair - a 6-3 6-3 win at the Miami Open in 2004 - and did the same when they initially faced off at a Grand Slam. In total, Fed played nine Grand Slam finals with Nadal , 37, winning five - although Federer did win their most-recent major final meeting in Australia in 2017. At Wimbledon in 2008, with Federer looking to complete a hat-trick of SW19 final victories over Nadal, the Spaniard finally got his revenge, winning 9-7 in the fifth set in what is widely regarded as the greatest tennis match of all time. They met twice in 2019 - at the French Open and at Wimbledon - with the Swiss superstar claiming their most-recent clash with a dominant win on Centre Court . CASINO SPECIAL - BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023 Since then, though, Federer and Nadal teamed up to help Europe beat the Rest of World in the La){kind=link}
RAFAEL NADAL previously revealed that his legendary rivalry with Roger Federer remained on the court – because they are good friends off it.
The pair – often referred to collectively as ‘Fedal’ – are the two most-successful male tennis players of all time with a combined 42 Grand Slam singles titles.
But with their careers intertwined since Nadal burst onto the scene in 2004 until Federer’s retirement last September at 41, the Spaniard was adamant that they get on really well after sharing the limelight for so many years.
Nadal, who misses Wimbledon this year due to a hip injury, previously said: “It’s a rivalry, of course, but it’s also a friendship.
“We’re having a great story together. We have had long careers. Facing each other in the most important tournaments for such a very, very long time.