Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal began their famous rivalry in Miami in 2004 when the young Spaniard surprised the number 1 in consecutive series. A year later, the same players were in the final in Florida, and a similar scenario was waiting around the corner after Nadal took the first two sets and a 4-1 lead in the third.
On the verge of defeat, Federer rallied to steal the third set and storm across the finish line in the fourth and fifth sets, lifting the trophy and leaving the teenager empty-handed in his first notable final.
Nadal became the second youngest player in the Masters 1000 final after Michael Chang, and he didn’t have to wait long for second place, he did it a few weeks later in Monte Carlo on his beloved sand. In the title fight, Nadal faced a huge obstacle with the reigning champion Guillermo Coria.
The youngster prevailed against the Argentine in a three-hour and nine-minute challenge with 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 and became the second youngest Masters 1000 champion at 18 years and ten months.
After two dominant sets, Nadal lost ground in the third set and lost it before opening a 4-1 gap in the fourth set for another big step towards the title. When Coria fended off the break and the result was 4-4, Nadal began to think about Federer’s recent clash in Miami.
With the experience of that match, the teenager kept his composure and prevailed with a late break in Game 12 to take over the top and celebrate the first notable title of his young career.
Bencic talks about Roger Federer
Roger Federer was scheduled to partner with Belinda Bencic in mixed doubles at the Tokyo Olympics, but a knee setback at Wimbledon forced him to withdraw from the event entirely.
Bencic was disappointed with the news, of course, but she was comforted by the fact that the 20-time major champion brought the news to her in person before informing everyone else.
“I’m sure they both follow everything. Especially Roger,” said Bencic. “I know he follows everything from futures to challengers to the Olympics… He definitely knows what’s going on and how we’re playing.
He sent us a message after the doubles yesterday, so I’m sure he’s watching. “The former world number 4 continued to say thank you for being part of Switzerland’s golden generation of tennis stars.
According to Bencic, it is a “privilege” to represent your nation in the Olympics. “I’m just really grateful that I can be one of them,” said Bencic. “I never thought that I could be in this era of Swiss tennis.
I am very happy that I can actually be here. I don’t take it as a print, but as a privilege. ”Photo credit: Julian Finney / Getty Images
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