Rafael Nadal has sent a message to long-time rival and friend Roger Federer following the 41-year-old’s retirement announcement. Federer announced that he would be ending his career at next week’s Laver Cup where he will play alongside the Spaniard one final time, and the world No 3 has now branded it a “sad day” for the sport.
Federer sent shockwaves through the tennis world on Thursday when he announced his upcoming retirement. The former world No 1 has been sidelined for over a year after undergoing his third knee surgery, and released a lengthy statement explaining that it was time to listen to his body and bring his 24-year career to a close.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play his final tournament at next week’s Laver Cup, where he will join forces with Big Four rivals Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray for the first time. Tributes have been pouring in for the man seen as one of the GOATs of the sport, and his biggest rival has now reacted to the shocking news.
Nadal took to Twitter to share his reaction to Federer’s announcement as he shared his heartbreak to learn that his rival would be hanging up his racket. “Dear Roger, my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come,” the world No 3 wrote.
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