Federer's farewell tribute to rival Rafael Nadal is sportsmanship at its finest: 'You beat me'

Retiring after a legendary career is usually a pretty big step in a sportsperson's life. So, it can mean a great deal if the person's competitor congratulates them and pens down something to celebrate that accomplishment. Tennis player Rafael Nadal is close to retirement, so his rival Roger Federer penned a heartfelt letter to celebrate him and his legacy. The tennis player took to Instagram to share the letter with the internet, where he goes by @rogerfederer.

The letter read, "Vamos, Rafa! As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I have a few things to share before I maybe get emotional. Let's start with the obvious: you beat me- a lot." Federer continued, "You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping onto your backyard and you made me work harder than I thought I could to hold my ground." The tennis champion expressed that Nadal made him reimagine his game. "Even going as far as to change my racquet head, hoping for any edge." He added, "I am not a superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear...All of it with the highest intensity."

"Secretly, I loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique, it was so you. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more," Federer shared. He pointed out that it was not the case at first, though. After the 2004 Australian Open, Federer achieved the number-one ranking for the first time. "I thought I was on top of the world and I was, until two months later when you walked into the court in Miami in your sleeveless red shirt, showing off those biceps and you beat me convincingly." The Swiss player revealed, "All that buzz I had been hearing about you- about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday and it wasn't just hype."

Both of them were at the start of their journey at that point and ended up taking it together. "Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud," Federer remarked. "I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up." He went on, "Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies." 

"I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies," the tennis player pointed out. "Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties." He also shared memories of his final match. "And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner." The letter concluded, "And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next. Rafa that! Best always, your fan, Roger."

People took to the comments section to express their thoughts on the letter. @sirjackiestewart wrote, "You’ve said it beautifully. Everyone reading your letter aspires to have a friendship like this. Seeing you both play tennis together has been a privilege." @arcblends commented, "These are my role models. These two are and will always be the people I'll look up to." @imkeziahcheung remarked, "I've looked up to Roger & Rafa all my life, it's crazy how fast the years flew by."