It’s been more than two decades since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s famous rivalry started in Miami. The pair spent years battling it out on the biggest stages for the biggest titles and won a combined 42 Grand Slam trophies. Now, the fierce competitors are retired, and their relationship seems to be stronger than ever.
The former world No. 1s have now taken their rivalry to a new sport, golf. Federer was spotted in Mallorca last week visiting Nadal’s academy. It seems he extended his stay to play a round of golf, and the tennis stars have now challenged others on the course.
Federer and Nadal shared a joint post on Instagram of snaps from their recent round of golf at the Pula Golf Resort, and the Swiss star had a question for their followers in the caption. “Anyone ready to take on the two of us?? #Fedal,” he wrote.
And they’ve already caught the attention of some of their colleagues. Casper Ruud, the world No. 12 who grew up training at Nadal’s Mallorcan academy and is an avid golfer, commented: “Nice belt (and glove) @rogerfederer.”
Tennis commentator Robbie Koenig also had a suggestion for Federer and Nadal’s potential golfing opponents. “@andymurray and @jamie__murray are already plotting a plan…” he wrote.
Nadal has long been a talented golfer. He reportedly plays off a scratch handicap and has won some amateur tournaments.
Meanwhile, 20-time Major winner Federer has started getting into golf since retiring from tennis in September 2022.
The 43-year-old headed to Augusta earlier this year and told ESPN: “We should play together, I think we’ve played enough against each other.”
Federer finally got his wish after jetting to Mallorca to see his old rival. The pair also reunited at the French Open a couple of months ago during an emotional ceremony celebrating Nadal’s career and record number of titles there.
The Spaniard retired at the Davis Cup Finals in November, though never got a grand retirement ceremony, and the likes of Novak Djokovic and Nadal’s uncle Toni slammed the presentation Nadal received in Malaga.
But Roland Garros organisers pulled out all the stops for Nadal. Everyone inside Court Philippe-Chatrier wore a custom ‘Merci Rafa’ shirt and Nadal was given a permanent plaque on the main showcourt.
His friends and family came to watch, and Federer, Djokovic, and Andy Murray turned up to pay tribute – something that meant a lot to the Spaniard.
“The agendas of the people sometimes are difficult. But of course probably they know that they are going to make that day very special and that day is gonna be very special for me,” Nadal later said.
“Novak is playing here, so it’s easier. But in the same time Andy and Roger that just came on purpose mean a lot to me, because at the end they represent a very important part of my tennis career, because in some way we pushed each other to the limits, as I said in my speech. And that’s the true.”
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Content Source: www.express.co.uk