Rafael Nadal has said he is open to the idea of playing exhibition matches alongside Roger Federer, and that the two retired rivals have already held long conversations about doing it — though nothing has been decided. Speaking to The Associated Press, Nadal said he and Federer remain in almost weekly contact, LaSexta reported. “I am open to that possibility and I have had long conversations with Roger,” Nadal said. “We’ll see what happens in the future and whether something finally comes of it or not.”
The comments come as Nadal prepares for his next on-court appearance, an exhibition in Las Vegas, and as fans continue to speculate about whether the two former rivals might share a court again in some form.
Weekly contact that rarely turns to tennis
Nadal said his relationship with Federer has stayed close since both men left professional tennis. “We are in contact practically every week. We talk very often, and if at some point we find the right reason and the right place to do something together, you’ll find out,” he said. “But nothing is decided yet.”
He was quick to downplay the idea that their conversations revolve around the sport. “During our conversations we don’t usually compare current players with us,” Nadal said. “We talk about other things, about golf, about sport, we share opinions… We have a normal relationship.”
Forty meetings, a 24-16 rivalry, and a friendship
The two legends faced each other 40 times in professional tennis, with Nadal winning 24 matches and Federer 16, according to Tennis World USA. Their rivalry produced some of the most memorable matches in the sport’s history, including the 2008 Wimbledon final and the 2017 Australian Open final.
They developed a close friendship despite years of competing for the biggest trophies. Their last appearance together came at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, where they played doubles against Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. Tiafoe and Sock won 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9, ending Federer’s professional career with a defeat — though the result was not the main story that evening, as both men were emotional during the farewell ceremony.
In May 2025, Federer attended Nadal’s farewell ceremony at Roland Garros, where the Spaniard had won a record 14 titles.
Federer floated a “Fedal Tour” last September
The idea of the two playing together is not new. In September 2025, Federer spoke about organizing an exhibition tour with Nadal and even suggested calling it the Fedal Tour. Speaking to CNBC during the Laver Cup in San Francisco, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said he would enjoy playing some matches with his former rival. “I love Rafa!” Federer said.
Federer also said he had been practicing regularly and wanted to maintain his physical condition after retiring. His longtime agent, Tony Godsick, separately discussed a possible exhibition tour involving the two, saying at the 2025 Laver Cup that they had already considered the idea and believed there would be strong interest. “We can probably fill stadiums,” Godsick said.
Las Vegas on February 28, 2027 is the next date on the calendar
Before any potential reunion with Federer, Nadal already has another exhibition scheduled. He will participate in the MGM Slam exhibition in Las Vegas on February 28, 2027, at T-Mobile Arena, shortly before the Indian Wells Masters, Tennis World USA reported. Nadal previously played an exhibition in Las Vegas against Carlos Alcaraz in March 2024 during the final season of his professional career, and in October 2025 he took part in an exhibition marking the tenth anniversary of his tennis academy in Mallorca, where Andy Murray was among those involved.
Nadal retired from professional tennis in November 2024 at age 40, ending a career that produced 22 Grand Slam titles. Federer said goodbye to the sport two years earlier, with his final appearance at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Questions fans are still asking
- Has anything been agreed between Nadal and Federer? No. Nadal said the two have had long conversations and that he is open to it, but stressed that nothing is decided and no reason or venue has been settled.
- How often do they talk? Nadal said they are in contact practically every week, though their conversations mostly cover golf, sport and other topics rather than tennis.
- February 28, 2027, at the MGM Slam exhibition at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ahead of the Indian Wells Masters.
- Nadal leads 24-16 over 40 professional meetings, per Tennis World USA.
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