Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to link up post-retirement? – ‘Dream’ revealed by Swiss’ agent
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer could be set for a post-retirement reunion, according to revelations made by the latter’s agent, Tony Godsick.
Godsick recently divulged that his “dream” is for Federer and Nadal to join forces at the Laver Cup and also disclosed that exhibition matches between the two icons are a possibility.
Federer partnered Nadal on the doubles court in the last match of his incredible 24-year career at the 2022 Laver Cup in London.
The legendary duo were beaten 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9 by Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. Nadal was brought to tears during an emotional on-court ceremony to celebrate Federer’s career.
Nadal joined his friend and former rival in retirement this week after playing his final match in Spain’s 2-1 Davis Cup quarter-final loss to the Netherlands.
The Spanish great, who played his first professional match in 2001, lost 6-4, 6-4 against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first rubber of the tie in Malaga.
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Federer was not present for Nadal’s farewell, but he paid tribute to the Mallorcan in a touching letter earlier this week.
In June, the Swiss revealed he would have been willing to come out of retirement to play doubles with Nadal at this year’s Laver Cup if the Spaniard had asked him. Nadal was set to feature at the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin in September, but he withdrew.
During this year’s Laver Cup, Godsick was asked about the possibility of Nadal captaining Team Europe in the competition in the future.
“I hope so,” he told Marca. “My dream is for Roger to be captain and Rafa assistant and then the other way around. In this way, they would be longer in office.
“The rivalry they both had on the court was very special, but I think the friendship of the two outside is even more special. They are the clear example that all competitors can get along.”
The agent, who founded the Laver Cup with Federer in 2017, disclosed that Barcelona is an option as a host city for the 2026 edition of the competition.
“We are working on it and we have several options,” Godsick divulged. “On the one hand, there is already a lot of tennis being played in Spain, but it is also true that the Spanish fans have culture and understand the game. It is a country that has had super heroes in this sport.”
Godsick also addressed the prospect of Nadal and Federer playing an exhibition match at Real Madrid’s revamped Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
“Since Roger retired, he hasn’t wanted to play another match as long as he doesn’t feel physically well,” he explained.
“To my mind comes the record of spectators that they beat in South Africa. We like to do big things. If there is an option to beat that one day, I’m sure Roger will consider it.
“They both like to collaborate and I like working with Carlos Costa. I have very good memories. We did the half-grass, half-clay exhibition in Mallorca… Anything is possible in the future.”
On the Laver Cup format, Godsick added: “We wanted rivals, in this case Federer and Rafa Nadal, to be teammates for a weekend. We could not think that in such a short period of time we were going to be so successful.
“The Ryder Cup has 97 years of history and the Laver Cup has seven. There is a long way to go. We taught the tennis world that innovations are always good because there is a lot of competition in the market with soccer, Formula 1.”
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