For many fans, Roger Federer’s retirement symbolizes the end of the era dominated by the “Big Three”, dominated by Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for nearly 20 years, and is also known as the golden age of men’s tennis. . single. In Federer’s tennis career, in addition to leaving many classic battles on the pitch with the other two giants, their private mutual respect and friendly friendship is even more touching for the fans.
The reason they are called the “Big Three” is because they are the players who have won the most Grand Slam championships in tennis history. Of the 79 Grand Slam championships in the last 20 years since 2003, 63 championships have been won by them. The three are included, and the other three giants are also the “only three” players in history to have won more than 8 Grand Slam titles in a single station, including Federer’s 8 Wimbledon titles, the 9 Australian Open titles. Djokovic’s and Nadal’s 14 French Open titles Net champion.
Among the “Big Three”, Federer and Nadal’s friendship and struggle are the most talked about in the world. The duel between the two is also known as the “Battle of Ice and Fire”. Federer’s right-handed racquet has a simple, flowing style and a bit of elegance; on the contrary, Nadal is left-handed and has a sturdy body. The muscles and the powerful style of the game, the two people who are so different from the look to the style of the game, such a contradictory match, the fans are always full of fun when they watch the game.
Federer and Nadal have played 38 career times, with a record of 15 wins and 23 losses. The first meeting between the two dates back to the 2004 Miami Open, when Federer, who was 22, was at the top of the rankings, but was eliminated by Nadal, who was only 17, which was a shock to After that, even the world rankings by Nadal rose to the top five in the world in a very short time, ready to clash with the throne of Federer.
Although the two’s battle records were both ahead of Nadal before 2008, Federer successfully established his ball king throne from 2004 to August 2008 and at Wimbledon, where he is the best in the “grass fight”. Defeat Nadal twice in the middle.
In the 2008 Wimbledon final, Federer, seeking 6 consecutive hegemons, met Nadal, who had won 23 straight wins at the time. This match ran for nearly 5 hours due to repeated rain delays. It was the final. longest in Wimbledon history In the end, Nadal defeated Federer in the fifth set of the final. Although he failed to create a record of 6 consecutive hegemonies, this marvelous match is still considered the “greatest supreme classic in history”.
After a few years as king and league due to injuries, they both recovered from injuries and regained their best skills in 2017, but the four games of that year were all played by 36-year-old Federer. his first streak against Nadal.
The last match between the two was in the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2019. This was the second match between the two at Wimbledon after 2008. However, unlike that year’s final, this match was finally played by Federer , who was 37 to win.
Unlike the difficult coexistence of “ice and fire” on the pitch, Federer and Nadal not only respect each other in private, but are also very good friends. Federer once said that they meet almost every week and often share their life. Big and small and they even know each other’s family members. When the epidemic broke out in 2020, the two suddenly shared a live on Instagram, which surprised and delighted the fans of the two. Through the mutual ridicule and concern of the two during the live broadcast, the friendship between the two top players became clear at a glance. .
Regarding the wonderful battle record between the two, Federer admitted that at first it was difficult for him to meet such a strong opponent, but gradually he was able to enjoy such a confrontation and looked forward to the duel with Nadal, because he knew every duel. among them they are very special and he also considers Nadal the most important opponent of his tennis career.
The “last dance” before Father Fei announced his retirement will choose to team up with his best opponent and friend for the last match of the first day of the Laver Cup. Both are good singles players and still do rely on their experience to play many good shots in this final battle. It is a shame that the final battle of Federer’s career, even if it did not end in victory, is of great importance to be able to collaborate with Nadal, enemy and friend for many years, and to end his dazzling 24-year tennis career. .
And Nadal also confirmed that he will not play the Laver Cup in the next couple of days, which means he fully supports Federer, his longtime friend, and also points out the good feelings between the two.
In the post-match retirement ceremony, in addition to Federer’s heroic tears, Nadal at his side was different from his usual “barbaric” male image, and he also wept with emotion. After the game, Nadal said in an interview: “When Federer retired and quit tennis, those important parts of my life are gone too.”
When the greatest rival of your career teamed up with you to play the last game, and it was so sad to cry at your retirement ceremony, I believe that such retirement is definitely a perfect curtain call with no regrets for Dad Fei.
Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer in tears after Federer’s retirement is the best sporting moment you will see in a while.
Maximum respect. 🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/fUeY8wQSTM
– Barstool Sport (@barstoolsports) September 23, 2022
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