Are we ever going to see Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal in the future? Ever since Federer’s retirement in September 2022. tennis fans have been counting the days to revisit those moments once again in their lives. Everything they do reminds us of their fond memories on and off the court. Although the Swiss has time and again pushed away all the speculations of his comeback on the tennis court citing his knee issue, his super agent and creator of the Laver Cup, Tony Godsick recently gave the fans a glimmer of hope. “Everything is possible in the future,” – Godsick.
During an interview with Marca on September 22, he spoke about the possibility of witnessing a Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal match at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. It’s the home of the Spanish soccer club, Real Madrid and recently it underwent some renovations. The stadium currently holds a seating capacity of nearly 85,000 people. So, it will surely be a record for the highest-attended tennis match if these two steps onto the iconic ground in the near future. We know Spain has a tennis culture and just imagine the scenario if this speculation turns into a reality!
Speaking more on the possibilities, Godsick added, “Since Roger retired he has not wanted to play another match until he feels physically fit. I think of the record number of spectators they set in South Africa. We like to do great things. If there is the option of beating that record one day, I am sure Roger will consider it. They both like to work together and I like working with Carlos Costa. I have very good memories. We did the half-grass, half-clay exhibition in Mallorca… Everything is possible in the future”
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Previously, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal shattered all the tennis attendance records during ‘The Match in Africa’ in 2020 in South Africa. It was an exhibition match to raise more than $3 million for childhood education and guess what? Nearly, 51,954 spectators attended that match. That is still the highest attendance ever recorded at a tennis match.
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via Getty CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 8 : Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain play a tennis match at Cape Town Stadium as part of an exhibition game held to support the education of African children, on February 8, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
After creating that record, Roger Federer said, “It was an absolute pleasure to share the court with Rafa again, but the first time here in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa.” Even Nadal expressed his excitement to feature in this historic match. The Spaniard stated, “It’s a lifetime experience playing in front of such an amazing crowd in an amazing stadium. It was a big pleasure for me to be part of it.” Santiago Bernabeu has 33,046 seats more than that venue in Cape Town, so fingers crossed! Let’s hope for the best. Roger Federer has time and again mentioned that he is ready to come out of retirement to take part in an epic contest with Rafael Nadal.
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Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal: A missed chance at the 2024 Laver Cup?
In June this year, Roger Federer said “I don’t think we’ll play doubles together at the Laver Cup, but if he (Rafa) asks me, I’ll definitely be there.” However, later on, Rafael Nadal had to withdraw his name from the completion due to injury concerns. So, we can say that this is probably a missed opportunity for all the ‘Fedal’ fans.
So, we don’t know when will we get the chance to see them taking on each other once again on the courts. However, Godsick has a dream related to these two and the iconic Laver Cup tournament. During that same interview with Marca, he revealed, “My dream is for Roger to be captain and Rafa to be assistant, and then the other way around. This way, they would be in charge for longer.”
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Tony Godsick further added, “The rivalry they had on the court was very special, but I think their friendship off the court is even more special. They are a clear example that all competitors can get along.” It has been more than two years since Federer’s retirement and even Nadal isn’t much active on the Tour anymore.
So chances are quite slim, but fans are still willing to hope for the best. Share your thoughts on witnessing yet another exhibition match between two of the fiercest rivals in the tennis world.