Former Australian tennis star Casey Dellacqua says there’s most likely a cause why Roger Federer used the phrase “graduating” in his retirement letter to Rafael Nadal as a result of one chapter is closed and the subsequent one fully new is about to start out.
After turning professional in 2001, the Spanish tennis icon formally put an finish to his astonishing profession earlier this week after 23 years on the Tour. Two years earlier, the document eight-time Wimbledon champion walked away from professional tennis after 24 years in it.
All through the week, tributes have been pouring in Nadal’s manner. And one of the touching and fantastically written got here from Federer, who write a really prolonged publish by which he mirrored on their historic rivalry but in addition the moments they shared on and off the court docket.
“As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional,” the previous 20-time Grand Slam champion wrote in his letter.
For some followers, it was a bit humorous to see Federer use that analogy. However Dellacqua, who was on the WTA Tour between 2002 and 2018, appeared to have completely understood that half.
Explaining why, the previous world No. 26 steered that gamers do tennis their entire life – from childhood to grownup years – till they determine to place a curtain on their professional profession. And as soon as you might be carried out with the sport, it turns into a totally totally different life from what you’ve got used ot and that is why some “get hit pretty hard” by it.
“Having had transitioned within the final 5 years out of tennis and when your entire self-identity is wrapped up in being Casey Dellacqua the tennis participant, Rafael Nadal the tennis participant, the phrase ‘retired’ does hit fairly laborious. I feel the phrase ‘graduating’ may to others appear a bit humorous, however I feel it’s an excellent analogy when it comes to ‘OK, you’re graduating from that a part of your life, however that doesn’t imply that no matter’s subsequent is subsequent’, however you’ve ticked and graduated with virtually like a masters of tennis,” Dellacqua told the Australian Open website.
Casey Dellacqua© Casey Dellacqua/Instagram – Fair Use
Dellacqua shares thoughts on Federer’s message to Nadal
In his letter, the 43-year-old figured out multiple ways to show his appreciation, love and respect for the 38-year-old. He even funnily remarked that he enjoyed the Spaniard’s superstitions.
“Secretly, I sort of cherished the entire thing. As a result of it was so distinctive—it was so that you. And you realize what, Rafa, you made me benefit from the sport much more,” Federer wrote.
Early on in their rivalry, an 18-year-old Nadal won five consecutive of their meetings and held a 6-1 head-to-head against the Swiss after the 2006 French Open. In the end, the Spaniard finished with 24 wins and 16 losses. “OK, perhaps not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 rating for the primary time. I assumed I used to be on prime of the world. And I used to be—till two months later, if you walked on the court docket in Miami in your crimson sleeveless shirt, displaying off these biceps, and also you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been listening to about you—about this wonderful younger participant from Mallorca, a generational expertise, most likely going to win a significant sometime—it wasn’t simply hype,” Federer added.
“We have been each initially of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking collectively. Twenty years later, Rafa, I’ve to say: What an unimaginable run you’ve had. Together with 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the entire tennis world proud.”
In the same message, the Swiss former world No. 1 also recounted some of their most special moments, like the 2022 Laver Cup, their exhibition match on a half-grass, half-clay court, the Cape Town exho that drew more than 50k spectators, etc. At the end, Federer told Nadal that “your outdated good friend might be cheering simply as loud for every part you do subsequent.”
Reflecting on it, Dellacqua described it as “so respectful” and something from which lessons could be learned.
“When you’re Rafa and Roger, you have these two phenomenal athletes that have shared history, they’ve shared rivalry, they’ve shared so much. [The letter] was just so respectful, and we can all take a lot from that – a respectful, healthy working relationship that they had with each other and brought the best out in each other. Success breeds success and I have no doubt that those two, whilst they were playing their best tennis, made and pushed each other to their nth degree,” Dellacqua added.
With Federer and Nadal retired, Novak Djokovic stays the one energetic Massive Three member.
