Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal spent nearly 50 years on the skilled circuit mixed! Two nice rivals wrote historical past books quite a few occasions, battling for notable titles and remaining aggressive all through their careers. Nonetheless, it couldn’t final for good!
Roger and Rafa needed to finish their tennis journey after coping with accidents of their last years on the Tour. Nikolay Davydenko, who retired at a younger age, defined their motivation and need to play effectively after turning 40.
Roger Federer, Wimbledon 2021© Stream screenshot
Nonetheless, the Russian highlighted the failed makes an attempt, explaining their our bodies have been not prepared for that effort. Roger performed his last singles match a few weeks earlier than turning 40, leaving tennis due to a knee damage. Rafa ended his profession at 38, failing to recuperate from a hip damage.
Who’s slicing onions? 🥹
Rafael Nadal waves farewell to the Olympics 👋#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/M4V4uAvgNa
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 31, 2024 Roger Federer’s last chapter
The Swiss maestro struggled with a knee damage in 2016. He left it behind and claimed Main titles in 2017 and 2018, reaching the variety of 20 and standing as world no. 1 at practically 37! Federer fought effectively in 2019, lacking two match factors in opposition to Novak Djokovic in that epic Wimbledon last.
The veteran wrapped up the 12 months ranked third behind his best rivals, hoping for an additional good run in 2020. Nonetheless, Roger injured his knee on the Australian Open, reaching the semi-final however ruining the closing levels of his unbelievable profession.
Roger Federer, Wimbledon 2021© Stream screenshot
Federer underwent two surgical procedures and missed the remainder of the season, embracing essentially the most prolonged break of his profession. The Swiss made a comeback in March 2021 in Doha. He performed a couple of extra tournaments forward of the grass swing, focusing on one other good run on his beloved floor.
Coping with knee ache, Roger skilled his earliest Halle loss earlier than stopping the clock on the All England Membership. Federer defeated 4 rivals and have become the oldest Wimbledon quarter-finalist within the Open period. He confronted Hubert Hurkacz and suffered a heavy loss.
The Pole bageled the Swiss within the third set, and the veteran underwent a 3rd surgical procedure. Because it turned out, the match in opposition to Hubert was the final in Roger’s singles profession, failing to recuperate and play aggressive tennis once more. The Swiss retired on the 2022 Laver Cup, taking part in alongside Rafael Nadal.
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 23, 2022 Rafael Nadal’s hip points and the tip at 38
Rafael Nadal needed to terminate his tennis journey in his 40s like his nice good friend and rival. Nonetheless, he needed to cease at 38 following a extreme hip damage that ruined the closing levels of his excellent profession. The Spaniard overcame a troublesome 2021 season.
Regardless of bodily points, he bounced again in 2022 and claimed the Australian Open and Roland Garros. Thus, Nadal moved to 22 Main titles, leaving Federer and Novak Djokovic behind. Rafa was in an excellent place to turn into world no. 1 at 36.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
Nonetheless, his issues began at Wimbledon regardless of reaching the semi-final. Nadal skilled an belly damage and withdrew earlier than dealing with Nick Kyrgios. He failed to revive the order within the remaining months, ending the season ranked 2nd behind Carlos Alcaraz.
The worst was but to come back for the legend! He made a gradual begin to the 2023 season and got here to Melbourne with low expectations. The defending champion defeated Jack Draper within the first spherical and confronted Mackenzie McDonald within the second.
The veteran skilled a extreme left hip damage within the second set, and nothing can be like earlier than! Like Roger, Rafa embraced essentially the most prolonged break of his profession! He underwent surgical procedure and missed the remainder of the season.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
Nadal didn’t need to finish his profession with out making one other effort. The Spaniard labored onerous within the second a part of 2023 and returned to motion within the first week of 2024 in Brisbane. Rafa embraced 20 matches this season, profitable 12.
Nonetheless, he couldn’t ship his A-game on the most notable tournaments, which led him to retirement on the finish of the 12 months. Nadal felt the ache round his hip within the Brisbane quarter-final and skipped the Australian Open. He skilled one other setback in February.
Rafa injured his belly muscular tissues and stayed away from the court docket till April. The king of clay scored solely 5 wins in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris, struggling on the occasions he dominated for years. Nadal threw all the things on the Olympic Video games in Paris.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
He reached his first ATP last in over two years in Bastad. Rafa handed a few difficult obstacles however misplaced steam and fell to Nuno Borges, ending runner-up. Nadal traveled to Paris with discomfort in his proper thigh.
He defeated Marton Fucsovics, attaining the final victory of his profession. Novak Djokovic stopped his best rival within the second spherical, beating Rafa 6-1, 6-4 within the second spherical. The Spaniard skipped the US Open and the Laver Cup.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
He introduced his retirement on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The legend battled for Spain twenty years after debuting, desperate to make one final push. Nonetheless, he fell to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4, ending his tennis journey with a loss.
“Nadal had to retire before turning 40. He could not endure battles against the top-50 players physically. His attempts were useless. Federer tried to prove himself at 40 but failed,” Nikolay Davydenko mentioned.
