Behind the ‘raw’ photo of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal that captures their enduring friendship and rivalry, this is the story of their lives and the way that they have impacted each other’s lives, making it one of the greatest duos in tennis, ever. And they aren’t done yet.
For starters, they’ve not had the easiest childhoods.
You see, Federer was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1981, and Nadal was born in Madrid, Spain in 1978. But they were separated at an early age, and only met on a tennis court at the age of 5, when both were in different parts of Spain, playing against each other.
They were rivals for years, but it didn’t take long for them to become friends. The four-time Grand Slam winner even had the gall to invite Nadal to play him in the 2009 Federer versus Nadal, and he was humbled by his request, telling the Spaniard: “I would love to take the next step. I would love to one day share the same court with you, Roger.”
This is the man who has now won 61 Grand Slams, including 24 Grand Slam titles. And to make it even more incredible, he is the World No. 1, the only man to win more than one Grand Slam in a single calendar year, and has won the Slam of the year, at least in the eyes of many, on three occasions – Wimbledon, US Open and the Australian Open.
Federer is the most decorated male tennis player ever
He’s also been one of the greatest doubles players of all time, but it’s his relationship, and the way that they carry themselves in the same way that they play tennis, that have won the people over.
The story of their lives is a unique mix of history, and chemistry, that transcends generations and makes them one of tennis’ ultimate tennis greats.
Here, we take you back to the day they began, in 1980/81.
Roger Federer at the 2009 Wimbledon Semifinals – winning the second set