Roger Federer 'felt sorry' for 'iconic' Rafael Nadal after injury-plagued season, as Swiss legend appears at US Open
Published 04/09/2024 at 13:07 GMT+1
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Roger Federer has said he feels "a little bit sorry" for his long-time rival and friend Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard's 2024 season was derailed by injuries. Federer retired two years ago after an injury-affected decline from the peak of his powers. Speaking on a trip to the US, the Swiss said: "I hope [Nadal] can go out on his terms and the way he wants to."
Federer watches on as Sabalenka routs Zheng, Tiafoe gets Dimitrov walkover
Video credit: SNTV
Roger Federer has said he feels "a little bit sorry" for long-time rival and fellow tennis great Rafael Nadal, as question marks remain over when the Spaniard will call time on his career.
Federer, who retired in 2022 after an injury-plagued final few seasons on tour, sympathised with Nadal's similarly disrupted last couple of years.
The Swiss was speaking as part of a trip which included an appearance at the 2024 US Open, a tournament he won five times in a row.
“I actually just spoke to him [Nadal] this last week," Federer told USA Today.
"He wanted to ask me something, and we had a chat, and I felt a little bit sorry for him.
“That his summer didn’t go as well as planned because, at the French Open he had a tough draw. Olympics, he had a tough draw as well.
“He was hoping, I think, to make a medal."
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Nadal was defeated in the first round of the French Open, the tournament he has won a record 14 times, by Alexander Zverev.
He has played rarely this year as he combats a variety of injuries and fitness issues. The 22-time Grand Slam champion did not play at Wimbledon and ruled out a return to the US Open, last playing at the Paris Olympics.
He lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles, their 60th meeting, and partnered compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the men's doubles, but the pair exited at the quarter-final stage.
Nadal and Federer formed two of the 'Big Three' alongside Djokovic and were the dominant force in men's tennis for much of this century.
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Federer or Kevin Hart? Tiafoe reveals his choice while Dimitrov laments more injury woes
Video credit: SNTV
Federer's final match was a doubles partnership with Nadal at the Laver Cup, a tournament the Swiss helped set up, in 2022. The pair lost to Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock and an emotional farewell ensued.
Nadal's next tournament scheduled, fittingly, is the Laver Cup, which takes place in Berlin from 20-22 September.
“He [Nadal] can do whatever he wants,” Federer added. “He's been one of the most iconic tennis players we've ever had in our sport.
"I just hope he can go out on his terms and the way he wants to. He's a great guy, great career.”
The Swiss great was the last man to defend a US Open title when he won five in a row between 2004 and 2008. He returned to Flushing Meadows as a fan this week for the first time since he stopped competing.
A warm reception greeted the former champion on Arthur Ashe Stadium as he attended the quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng.
The Belarusian needed just 73 minutes to dispatch her opponent, the Olympic gold medallist in Paris, and said she had been inspired by Federer watching on.
Federer later re-appeared to watch home favourite Tiafoe dispatch Grigor Dimitrov in front of a raucously partisan crowd, although the American admitted he was more excited about Kevin Hart being in the stands.
Dimitrov - nicknamed 'baby Fed' in his early career for his resemblance to the 20-time major winner - was forced to retire with an injury when trailing in the fourth set.
Watch and stream the 2024 Laver Cup live on Eurosport and discovery+
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