Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have created one of the most electrifying rivalries in modern sport, bringing many people closer to tennis and giving life to an almost unrepeatable era together with another legend like Novak Djokovic.
The Swiss’ career ended almost three years ago and he never showed any regrets about his decision to retire, having realized that his body could no longer sustain certain rhythms and that his knee needed peace after various surgeries.
The former world No.1 still loved tennis when he left the professional tour, but the knowledge that he could no longer compete at the level he wanted made his decision much easier. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has not staged exhibition matches with his old rivals since retiring, likely due to the condition of his knee, but has vowed to do so in the near future.
Rafa – on the other hand – said goodbye to professional tennis at the end of 2024, after representing Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The former Spanish champion would also have hoped for a more glorious finale, but his last dance was affected by several injuries and his two main goals last season – Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics – did not bring joy to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, who received a truly moving celebration during the 2025 edition of the French Open.
Federer and Nadal together again
Last week, King Roger was spotted visiting Nadal’s Academy in Manacor along with his wife Mirka and the rest of his family. This testifies to the sincere friendship between these two legends of modern sport, who have cultivated an excellent relationship even off the court.
Today, the photo of Federer and Nadal playing golf together in Mallorca went viral on social media. The former Swiss champion decided to spend several days on the Spanish island and fans were in disbelief when they met their idols.
🇪🇸🇨🇭 Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer golfing together today 🏌️♂️⛳️
📸 Majorca Daily Bulletin pic.twitter.com/lL9aFefi7K
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) July 21, 2025