The tennis world was left in shock when Roger Federer, the legendary Swiss maestro, opened up about his intense and storied rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. In an exclusive interview, Federer shared never-before-heard details about his battles with the two greats, shedding light on the emotions, behind-the-scenes moments, and his true thoughts about the most iconic tennis rivalries of all time.Federer and Nadal’s rivalry is often considered one of the greatest in sports history. The contrast in their styles—Federer’s elegant shot-making versus Nadal’s relentless power and spin—created unforgettable matches that defined an era of tennis.One of the biggest revelations from Federer’s interview was about the historic 2008 Wimbledon final, widely regarded as the greatest match of all time. Nadal defeated Federer in an epic five-set thriller that lasted nearly five hours.
Federer admitted that the loss haunted him for years. “I remember walking off Centre Court that evening and feeling completely drained—not just physically, but emotionally. I gave everything I had, and it still wasn’t enough. For a long time, I would replay certain points in my head, wondering if I could have done something differently.”
But what shocked fans the most was Federer’s confession about his post-match emotions. “I actually cried in the locker room after that match. I usually don’t show much emotion in defeat, but that one really hurt. I knew Nadal was special, but that night, I truly understood how much of a force he was becoming.”Federer also revealed a fascinating detail about his comeback victory over Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open final. Having taken six months off in 2016 due to injury, Federer used an unconventional training method to prepare for the match.
“I practiced hitting inside-out backhands against left-handed sparring partners every day. I knew Nadal’s strategy was always to attack my backhand, so I decided to change the way I played. That’s why I kept stepping into my backhand and taking it early in that final.”
Federer’s plan worked to perfection, as he staged a dramatic five-set comeback to defeat Nadal, earning one of the most emotional victories of his career.
Despite their fierce battles, Federer admitted that Nadal is one of the few players he truly considers a close friend. “Rafa is different. We’ve been through so much together, and I have the utmost respect for him. He has this incredible ability to push you to your limits while still being humble off the court.”
Federer also revealed a heartwarming moment between the two that had never been made public. After Federer announced his retirement in 2022, Nadal sent him a long, emotional message. “He told me that tennis would never be the same without me and that our rivalry had defined his career. That meant the world to me.”