Rafael Nadal, with an open heart after the retirement of Roger Federer in the Laver Cup

The greatest Grand Slam winner in history spoke in depth about his relationship with the Swiss and the emotion during his farewell at the Laver Cup.

Rafael Nadal was the companion of Roger Federer on his farewell from tennis at the Making Cupin what was a defeat for the duo against the Americans Jack Sock y Francis Tiafoe. After the meeting, the Swiss was honored by everyone in the 02 London Arena and the Spanish was seen very excited at his side. Few days later, the current number 3 in the ATP world ranking explained how he felt at that time and revealed what happened to him when he returned to his hotel room.

In dialogue with COPE’s Great Match, Nadal spoke in depth of his extensive relationship with Federer y explained how he felt after the Laver Cup match. “I’m a sensitive person, when you see someone you appreciate say goodbye it’s hard not to get emotional. It got a little out of hand, and The worst thing is that when I went to the room I just got excited again. It was difficult for it not to happen because of everything that was experienced that night“.

Already about his relationship with the Swiss Express, the Mallorcan was honest and gave details of the twists and turns they have had over the years but that has finally resulted in a great friendship. “Like everything, it has its stages. It has been a relationship that was good from the beginning and that has grown stronger over the years.. Somehow normal people appreciate the rival, as long as the rival is a good person. Over the years one realizes that something special has been experienced in ours, that is how we have experienced it and the world of tennis has also perceived it that way. Thanks to that, also some people who were not interested in tennis have become interested in our sport. Our way of seeing the world and the rivalry itself has meant that our personal relationship has probably been more important than the professional one.“.

He also added that they found a common point from the work they have done in the players’ council and hopes that this forged bond can last through the passage of time. “For some years the friendship has been strengthened. For different reasons we have had to be more united, more in contact and thanks to that we have done good, beautiful things. Due to the work in the players’ council to try to leave tennis in a better position than when we arrived, we have had to have a lot of contact, conversations, hours together. We understand each other well, we have different opinions in some cases as is logical. A bond of friendship has been created that will last“Nadal concluded.

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