Barry Simmonds
New User
Im sure this will cause arguments with the die hard Nadal and Federer fans , but I don’t intend do so. I have watched Federer play since he was a player without a slam, he’s the reason I love tennis and so he will always be my favourite player, then along came Nadal. I admit that when Nadal became a stronger and stronger player it bugged me, it annoyed me how he grunted at every point, how he was so strong and seemingly not scared by Federer, but mostly.....because of how good he was. Those times Rafa denied Federer at every French open got to me as a fan, every year it was a case of ....”THIS IS HIS YEAR”....then he lost, and the 2008 FO well....let’s forget about that one.
Then the 2009 AO final came by and I thought Fed had a chance, only to see Nadal lift the trophy, but I wasn’t sad this time, I was happy. The quality of Tennis that was displayed that night was just of another world, if it wasn’t for the disappointing 5th set it could have been the best match ever, but watching the highlights of the trophy ceremony afterwards, just watch Rafas reaction. He lifts the trophy not in a “ YES I’ve won” way....more a reserved “ oh...I can’t believe I won” way. Then we see Rafa put his arm around Roger and I knew that Rafa wasn’t a bad guy at all, he just respected Roger as a player and person more than I first thought.
There are plenty of moments in their career that suggest their so called “friendship” isn’t fabricated by the media. At the Wimbledon 2006 final in Rafas first grass final, the players are doing laps around centre court for the fans showing off their trophies, and as Rafa and Roger walk by each other at the net they tap hands and smile to show their appreciation of each other. The video of them laughing together where Nadal says “ Youknowwhatigunacometoswitzerlandandplayaneexhibitionmatchforyourfoundation” and their genuine laughter, mostly Roger at Nadals accent “what a u guna get me”
The laver cup, where we see close ups of Nadals reaction to a shot Federer plays almost as if he’s watching him the way us spectators see him play, just in awe of what’s going on. Then The doubles match they played, then Federer winning and Rafa jumping in the air then jumping on Roger
The opening of Nadals academy, 7 billion people on Earth and he wanted Roger to be there to support him. Even admitting he was scared to ask in case Roger said no only for Roger to say it was an honour for him to be there with his great rival, even claiming he will send his kids to the Nadal academy to learn tennis.
The AO 2017 final, one of my favourite matches of all time . The drama and the ups and downs. Again, look at the presentation ceremony, this time Roger was the victor. When he’s walking up the stairs to collect the trophy he places his arm on Rafas because he too knows how much it means to him.
Honestly when all is said and done I’d love to see them both present a Tennis programme together and offer their insights, sort of like Game Schett and Matts but a lot better!
When they retire we will miss them, let’s enjoy this while we can !
Then the 2009 AO final came by and I thought Fed had a chance, only to see Nadal lift the trophy, but I wasn’t sad this time, I was happy. The quality of Tennis that was displayed that night was just of another world, if it wasn’t for the disappointing 5th set it could have been the best match ever, but watching the highlights of the trophy ceremony afterwards, just watch Rafas reaction. He lifts the trophy not in a “ YES I’ve won” way....more a reserved “ oh...I can’t believe I won” way. Then we see Rafa put his arm around Roger and I knew that Rafa wasn’t a bad guy at all, he just respected Roger as a player and person more than I first thought.
There are plenty of moments in their career that suggest their so called “friendship” isn’t fabricated by the media. At the Wimbledon 2006 final in Rafas first grass final, the players are doing laps around centre court for the fans showing off their trophies, and as Rafa and Roger walk by each other at the net they tap hands and smile to show their appreciation of each other. The video of them laughing together where Nadal says “ Youknowwhatigunacometoswitzerlandandplayaneexhibitionmatchforyourfoundation” and their genuine laughter, mostly Roger at Nadals accent “what a u guna get me”
The laver cup, where we see close ups of Nadals reaction to a shot Federer plays almost as if he’s watching him the way us spectators see him play, just in awe of what’s going on. Then The doubles match they played, then Federer winning and Rafa jumping in the air then jumping on Roger
The opening of Nadals academy, 7 billion people on Earth and he wanted Roger to be there to support him. Even admitting he was scared to ask in case Roger said no only for Roger to say it was an honour for him to be there with his great rival, even claiming he will send his kids to the Nadal academy to learn tennis.
The AO 2017 final, one of my favourite matches of all time . The drama and the ups and downs. Again, look at the presentation ceremony, this time Roger was the victor. When he’s walking up the stairs to collect the trophy he places his arm on Rafas because he too knows how much it means to him.
Honestly when all is said and done I’d love to see them both present a Tennis programme together and offer their insights, sort of like Game Schett and Matts but a lot better!
When they retire we will miss them, let’s enjoy this while we can !
