Andre Agassi says there is no real friendship between Federer and Nadal

Are Nadal and Federer friends?


  • Total voters
    89

Zardoz7/12

Hall of Fame
Does friendship exist in tennis between rivals? Andre Agassi gave an interesting answer to Marca a few days ago in Paris speaking about Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who became teammates at the Laver Cup last year. https://www.**************.org/tenn...no-real-friendship-between-federer-and-nadal/ Is this more sensationalism? If so I won't post links from that site. I think Agassi is wrong, Nadal and Federer are frenemies.

´I don´t exactly know the relationship between them but it´s clear that I don´t imagine being friend of someone with who you fight every day to be the best. I think that the word that definited my relationship with (Pete) Sampras was respect.

Rafa and Roger are our best ambassadors, for sure´, Agassi said. Then he also revealed something interesting: ´I don´t have any photo of mine at home as tennis player or any of my trophies either.

My trophies are in the gym where I trained for so many years and I don´t know where Steffi (Graf, his wife)´s are. Both me and Steffi were great tennis competitors but now we aren´t. It´s not that we want to forget this era but what we did at the time doesn´t make any difference with our current life.´

https://www.**************.org/imgb/60646/andre-agassi-says-there-is-no-real-friendship-between-federer-and-nadal.jpg
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
i dont think they ever referred to each other as friends in the true sense that they would hangout with each other outside of work. I think they have many shared experiences and have gone through things that will always bond them in the tennis world and to be honest just recently nadal was basically like i wouldn't call it a friendship, but we have great relationship. nothing more or nothing less.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Luigi Gatto and his ********, click-bait writing style strikes again over at TennisWorld.

FWIW, Agassi has always been a bit of a nihilist. Hearing he doesn't care about stuff like his trophies might seem to him to be about not being materialistic but across his whole career he's seemed to not care much about a lot of things which require very little effort to obtain in reality - like friendships with his closest rivals etc.
 

sredna42

Hall of Fame
I think federer has gone out of his way to try to establish a friendly professional relationship with the guy, but that nadal is a pretty coarse and unintelligent human essentially, so it can never be more than superficial.
 

icedevil0289

G.O.A.T.
i mean i do think the media does sensationalize fedal and even i rme when the media talks about them and yes i admit it partially comes from being a bitter fed fan but i'll say one thing since agassi drew comparisons, i don't think we will ever get that level of pettiness that sampras/agassi displayed during that charity match.
 
My trophies are in the gym where I trained for so many years and I don´t know where Steffi (Graf, his wife)´s are. Both me and Steffi were great tennis competitors but now we aren´t. It´s not that we want to forget this era but what we did at the time doesn´t make any difference with our current life.´

Yes, all that money and fame make ZERO difference in your current life. What a crock of ****.
 

Alba Barragan

Professional
I think it's more than obvious at this point that Fed and Rafa do like each other and get along well off the court, much more than Andre and Pete did. However, that quasi-friendship wouldn't be there if they hadn't been forced to spend time together being both the constant rival of the other and the faces of the sport. It's a friendship that was forced by respect despite their rivalry. And at the same time, that rivalry has prevented that friendship from being 100% honest, because at the end of the day, they started as rivals and will never be able to leave that part completely aside until their competitive careers end, so Andre has a point.
 

Alba Barragan

Professional
I think federer has gone out of his way to try to establish a friendly professional relationship with the guy, but that nadal is a pretty coarse and unintelligent human essentially, so it can never be more than superficial.

The second part of your comment is rude and unnecessary. I do agree Roger seems to be the one who has been more open and even persistent in trying to establishing a real friendship between him and Rafa, but if Rafa doesn't seem very willing it's most likely because of his personality: he's just a terribly compromised competitor, much more passionate in the rivalry than Roger, who seems more chill and relaxed in his approach to the sport.
 

Federer and Del Potro

Bionic Poster
It's weird, I'm a Fred fan but I'd probably be best friends with Djokovic

I do think Fred/Ralph like each other though. Federer/Djokovic always seemed icy.

But who really knows - competition can make people look completely different.
 

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
So idiotic. Of course they're not friends. Rafa can't speak any of Fed's languages, nor can Fed speak Spanish. They respect each other, that's it.
 

EloQuent

Legend
It's weird, I'm a Fred fan but I'd probably be best friends with Djokovic

I do think Fred/Ralph like each other though. Federer/Djokovic always seemed icy.

But who really knows - competition can make people look completely different.
Really? All the gluten free pepe vegan stuff weirds me out.

Federer is probably boring and too polite IRL.

Mury GOAT is where it's at. Dry humor, hard drinking.
 

Federer and Del Potro

Bionic Poster
Really? All the gluten free pepe vegan stuff weirds me out.

Federer is probably boring and too polite IRL.

Mury GOAT is where it's at. Dry humor, hard drinking.

I liked the fire in his belly version of Djokovic. Honestly thought he did have reason to have a chip on his shoulder. He was memed pretty tirelessly as a youngster by his peers. Federer went after him, Roddick too. So he was unapologetic once he reached the summit. I always liked that about him. Didn't change just because he got to the top. And while he could be agitating while the match was going on with some of his mannerisms, he was always a gracious winner/loser when it was actually done.

He was an acquired taste for me. I often compare him to Aaron Rodgers.

I see a lot of similarities.
 

EloQuent

Legend
Without question they do. Fed hates Djoker because he regards him as an untalented drone and "how dare he defeat ME!?" And Djoker is jealous and envious because the entire tennis world (aside from Serbia and Nadal folks) loathe him.
They've learned to make nice in public, which is a positive. It is telling tho that Rafa is involved in the Laver Cup but not Djokovic.
 

EloQuent

Legend
I liked the fire in his belly version of Djokovic. Honestly thought he did have reason to have a chip on his shoulder. He was memed pretty tirelessly as a youngster by his peers. Federer went after him, Roddick too. So he was unapologetic once he reached the summit. I always liked that about him. Didn't change just because he got to the top. And while he could be agitating while the match was going on with some of his mannerisms, he was always a gracious winner/loser when it was actually done.

He was an acquired taste for me. I often compare him to Aaron Rodgers.

I see a lot of similarities.
I have a detached kind of respect for his achievements, especially since he really didn't have a privileged background at all, but I can't bring myself to like him.
 

sredna42

Hall of Fame
The second part of your comment is rude and unnecessary. I do agree Roger seems to be the one who has been more open and even persistent in trying to establishing a real friendship between him and Rafa, but if Rafa doesn't seem very willing it's most likely because of his personality: he's just a terribly compromised competitor, much more passionate in the rivalry than Roger, who seems more chill and relaxed in his approach to the sport.

Yeah you're right on most of that. We'll have to agree to disagree, for I think that nadal really is an obnoxious/strange/unlikeable/autistic (whatever the word is) human deep down. The constant furtive sidelong glances, the grimaces when his opponent hits an awesome shot, the belligerent staring at his opponent when they dare to his a winner against him, the constant excuses, the humbalito act, just ughhh.

Everything about him rubs me the wrong way. And the whole tennis world indulges his antics and gamesmanship and lets him get away with it, and his ************* fans are even worse. Literal zoo animals.

God why couldn't your get you act together Verdasco and be the slam monster you were meant to be, or you too Feliciano. Instead this mutant nadal is the face of Spain.

It's going to be bad for tennis if he retires unbroken. Someone really needs to step up and start whipping this guy on clay.

LOL gods below WTF is up with this forum, why on earth is "v a m o s b r i g a d e" censored?
 

True Fanerer

G.O.A.T.
Without question they do. Fed hates Djoker because he regards him as an untalented drone and "how dare he defeat ME!?" And Djoker is jealous and envious because the entire tennis world (aside from Serbia and Nadal folks) loathe him.
The crowd loves the hate too. It's time for them to play again.
 

justasport

Professional
I am one of those who cares guys, but in my personal opinion I don't think they are true friends. I believe they have a MASSIVE mutual respect towards one another, but friends? Nope.
 

ADuck

Legend
Yeah you're right on most of that. We'll have to agree to disagree, for I think that nadal really is an obnoxious/strange/unlikeable/autistic (whatever the word is) human deep down. The constant furtive sidelong glances, the grimaces when his opponent hits an awesome shot, the belligerent staring at his opponent when they dare to his a winner against him, the constant excuses, the humbalito act, just ughhh.

Everything about him rubs me the wrong way. And the whole tennis world indulges his antics and gamesmanship and lets him get away with it, and his ************* fans are even worse. Literal zoo animals.
Don't hold back, tell us what you really think about him.
 
Yes, all that money and fame make ZERO difference in your current life. What a crock of ****.

Exactly - you said it before I could. I know a guy who used to be close to Andre back in Vegas before the move to Florida. Right after the Wimbledon win in '92, they met each other again somehow. My friend didn't exactly ask to start hanging out with him but I think was aware Andre was going to a movie with the Chilli Peppers singer. Andre wound up saying, and using his hand to gesture: "I'm kind of occupying space up here, and you're sort of down here... when you climb up closer to up 'here', we can kick it again". My friend - who is actually well known in Vegas now - was at a loss for words (something he rarely is at a loss for) and just nodded his head like "I see how it is...".
Now, I'm just a forum poster and you have to take this at face value, but this is exactly how the story went. I was always a little disappointed to hear it, assuming every portion of the tale is factual (I believe it is, given the source).
My point... is that Fame and success put you in privileged position and absolutely affords you access to certain people and opportunities (for example, meeting Mandella ... your average person doesn't get to arrange a meeting with such a figure - not to my knowledge).
Having said all this, the Agassi foundation is a great thing and I do believe Andre has a big heart... but he's insecure deep down. And I just wish he'd get over it. All 4 grand slams, OGM, something Pete will never have... that's special. Tennis will be with him forever, and unlike his wistful thought "In the future, my hope is that people will struggle to remember I was a tennis player". Andre... we won't forget, and it's not a bad thing.
 

sredna42

Hall of Fame
Don't hold back, tell us what you really think about him.

OK.
He's a human-chimapanzee hybrid, raised with an IV drip of "uncle toni's secret sauce" in his arm 24/7, and still juices to this day, and gets away with it because of TUE exemptions and because he's too high profile to go after.
He has opposible big toes, and picks at his bum all the time because his vestigial tail keeps getting caught in his shorts.
He is blatantly in the closet and his girlfriend is his "beard" (ala hugh jackman)
he has no redeeming qualities as a human whatsoever, and will twist any rule and do anything it takes to win, and gets away with it because of his high profile.

And I suspect he is a cannibal. And may even have killed Jimmy Hoffa.
 

fednad

Hall of Fame
Friends ?
I have been sitting and working with this hot woman next to me since 4 years and still have not got to be "friends" with her !
How can Federer (Him of mighty loins and father of 4 kids and perhaps many more on the way ! ) be "friends" with Nadal.
They do not even spend together as much time as I spend at office !
Was Andre smoking !!! :eek::eek:
Talking seriously - rivals cannot be friends. If they are respectful and get along well, that is more than enough and can count for usage of the word friendship. Do not expect them to go to a bar and check out babes ! :D:D:D:D
 

Alba Barragan

Professional
The constant furtive sidelong glances, the grimaces when his opponent hits an awesome shot, the belligerent staring at his opponent when they dare to his a winner against him, the constant excuses, the humbalito act, just ughhh.

Everything about him rubs me the wrong way. And the whole tennis world indulges his antics and gamesmanship and lets him get away with it, and his ************* fans are even worse. Literal zoo animals.

I do dislike some of his attitudes and behaviors as well, I find them annoying and a little bit unsportsmanlike, but that's his on-court persona, a product of the competitiveness and 'win at all costs' mindset the sport (or Tio Toni) has created in him. It doesn't mean he has mental issues or any of the sort, he's just way too intense when it's about tennis, but he seems like a nice guy when there's no competition.
 

papertank

Hall of Fame
I'll say something a bit different and pose that by now they actually do have something more than just "respect". I think maybe earlier on when they were both still in the prime of their careers the rivalry was pretty intense, but I honestly think it all changed though in late 2016 when they were both injured and Roger went to see Rafa at the opening of his academy. At that point it seemed that they were both in the twilight of their careers so they were probably able to step back and appreciate each other in a way they hadn't been able to before. After all, who would be a better person to understand what it's like to be in their shoes?

Enter 2017 and their dual resurgence, I think the camaraderie just continued to grow. Splitting the slams evenly, they fed off each other's success, and there was no real tension in the rivalry. Federer was able to win their matches and make the H2H closer, but I don't believe it bothered Rafa in the type of way losing to Djokovic multiple times bothered him. Mainly because everything in their respective careers is gravy at this point. They were essentially resurrected from the tennis grave.

With how happy the tennis community was for them to be back at the same time, I can't imagine that didn't make them feel a little bit closer. Laver Cup seemed to be the culmination of this- at it's core it was just a big celebration of their resurgence.

So I really do think they have something a blossoming friendship beyond just respecting each other as rivals. Definitely something bigger than Agassi and Pete ever had.
 
Last edited:

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
They've learned to make nice in public, which is a positive. It is telling tho that Rafa is involved in the Laver Cup but not Djokovic.
Oh, Roger and Rafa respect each other and have no enmity at all. They've shared one of the great rivalries in tennis history and that's surely deeply meaningful to them both. Nadal dislikes Djoker just as much (or more) than Roger does and that's apparent to anyone who has watched them over the years. I would say that Fed has repugnant disdain for Djoker, whereas Rafa just freakin loathes him.

Never discount that Rafa and Fed have both been Nike guys and that's also significant in their "friendship." Just like Jordan and Tiger Woods being forced to show up at Roger's USO matches and feign "friendship." Business is business,
 

jonafern

New User
You guys must be seriously bored to post a thread like this and reply to it.

Come to think of it that's why I'm here.

He said that he doesn't know their relationship so why is there a click bait thread about it.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 

Crisstti

Legend
The second part of your comment is rude and unnecessary. I do agree Roger seems to be the one who has been more open and even persistent in trying to establishing a real friendship between him and Rafa, but if Rafa doesn't seem very willing it's most likely because of his personality: he's just a terribly compromised competitor, much more passionate in the rivalry than Roger, who seems more chill and relaxed in his approach to the sport.

Lol Fed who reportedly was half crazed as a youngster?. I don't think either of them is chill and relaxed about tennis, at all. And they would not win like they do if they were.

Really? All the gluten free pepe vegan stuff weirds me out.

Federer is probably boring and too polite IRL.

Mury GOAT is where it's at. Dry humor, hard drinking.

Same thinkg. I don't think Fed is too polite at all. Not sure where people get that impression from.

Their "friendship" is all an act for the cameras. Fake
Don't think so at all. Is that video of them laughing off camera in the commercial somehow fake?. I remember they also went to see a RM match together. And Fed, asked about this in some interview, said that they don't really hang out, but that they well could. In other words, they're friendly. Not really friends, due to obvious reasons. But once they're retired they might well be (didn't Fed actually say basically this?). They seem to "click" that way.
 

AlexanderTheGreat08

Hall of Fame
Yeah you're right on most of that. We'll have to agree to disagree, for I think that nadal really is an obnoxious/strange/unlikeable/autistic (whatever the word is) human deep down. The constant furtive sidelong glances, the grimaces when his opponent hits an awesome shot, the belligerent staring at his opponent when they dare to his a winner against him, the constant excuses, the humbalito act, just ughhh.

Everything about him rubs me the wrong way. And the whole tennis world indulges his antics and gamesmanship and lets him get away with it, and his ************* fans are even worse. Literal zoo animals.

God why couldn't your get you act together Verdasco and be the slam monster you were meant to be, or you too Feliciano. Instead this mutant nadal is the face of Spain.

It's going to be bad for tennis if he retires unbroken. Someone really needs to step up and start whipping this guy on clay.

LOL gods below WTF is up with this forum, why on earth is "v a m o s b r i g a d e" censored?
Seems like you’re mad cause he’s better than you
 

AlexanderTheGreat08

Hall of Fame
Oh, Roger and Rafa respect each other and have no enmity at all. They've shared one of the great rivalries in tennis history and that's surely deeply meaningful to them both. Nadal dislikes Djoker just as much (or more) than Roger does and that's apparent to anyone who has watched them over the years. I would say that Fed has repugnant disdain for Djoker, whereas Rafa just freakin loathes him.

Never discount that Rafa and Fed have both been Nike guys and that's also significant in their "friendship." Just like Jordan and Tiger Woods being forced to show up at Roger's USO matches and feign "friendship." Business is business,
I don’t think Rafa dislikes Djokovic at all
 
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