Roger Federer: “It was like, Rafa, please…”

[clayqueen]

JULY 7, 2019RAFAEL NADAL FANS
Roger Federer: “It was like, Rafa, please…”

Roger Federer jokes he had to “force” Rafael Nadal to give him a date for their South African charity match after a two-year wait:

It took me two years to find a date, but we have it.​

​

I was trying to be as little as possible annoying to the guy as I could have been. But still I had to force the issue at some stage. It was like, Rafa, please…​

Of course, we hope to have a big crowd. My dream has been reached to have a match there with Rafa in that country.​

​

https://rafaelnadalfans.com/2019/07/07/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-the-match-of-africa-date-schedule/

 

[Lleytonstation]

Fed wants Rafa to like him, but I feel Rafa is like whatever to him at times.

 

[Backspin1183]

Fed wants Rafa to like him, but I feel Rafa is like whatever to him at times.

Why wouldn't Rafa like Federer! They have done charities together for over a decade now. They are much closer to each other than they will be to any fan of either player. They probably share a laugh about how their fans are always fighting one another on the internet.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Why wouldn't Rafa like Federer! They have done charities together for over a decade now. They are much closer to each other than they will be to any fan of either player. They probably share a laugh about how their fans are always fighting one another on the internet.

Didn't say he doesn't. Just seems as Rafa is less interested in being buddy buddy.

 

[clayqueen]

Federer often jokingly mentions the two fan bases being at loggerheads. Regarding the Wimbledon seeding saga, Roger said the formula has been in place for long but because it's Rafa, social media is rife with it, they love it. In Strokes of Genius, Rafa said something like, anyone who thinks Roger is not a great player is probably a fan of someone else. They've both got it.

It's great that they like and respect each other. The relationship grew over time. Federer resented losing to Rafa so much but Rafa kept up his end by not gloating and acknowledging Roger's greatness. It could have turned really ugly if they resented each other.

 

[Raiden]

I don't believe Rafa had any material interest in opposing a charity in Africa. Rafa participates and also organizes exho's all the time. He also participates in Laver Cups, so clearly the issue isn't any personality conflict with Roger either.

I suspect the opposition/delay comes from uncle Toni or Nike or someone else in Rafa's orbit. They were stymieing the project under the excuse of "what's in it for us"? Rafa is not a miser himself but his team seem to be Sampras-level tightwads. His team want Rafa to spend a fortune on business (that they stand to profit from, like his large and sprawling academy and related projects like WTA and future ATP facility) and pleasure (liike that expensive yacht with crew and guest hosting capacity), but on charity? Not much (nothing in it for them to leech on to).

So it's not surprising that they were not enthusiastic for this charity to take place. They don't stand to make a fortune from a big chartiy exho so naturally team Rafa dithers.

 

[Red Rick]

Federer often jokingly mentions the two fan bases being at loggerheads. Regarding the Wimbledon seeding saga, Roger said the formula has been in place for long but because it's Rafa, social media is rife with it, they love it. In Strokes of Genius, Rafa said something like, anyone who thinks Roger is not a great player is probably a fan of someone else. They've both got it.

It's great that they like and respect each other. The relationship grew over time. Federer resented losing to Rafa so much but Rafa kept up his end by not gloating and acknowledging Roger's greatness. It could have turned really ugly if they resented each other.

I like to think they're sending each other memes about the fanbases.

 

[Sentinel]

I like to think they're sending each other memes about the fanbases.

That's why I am now a Kyrgios fan. He respects his fans a lot and would never joke about us.

 

[Red Rick]

That's why I am now a Kyrgios fan. He respects his fans a lot and would never joke about us.

Lol.

In reality it's much more likely Federer and Nadal have heated arguments as to whether @Federer and Del Potro or me have better memes. Personally I gotta side with Fedpo on this one. It's like 20-18 in Grand Threads right now.

 

[clayqueen]

I don't believe Rafa had any material interest in opposing a charity in Africa. Rafa participates and also organizes exho's all the time. He also participates in Laver Cups, so clearly the issue isn't a personality conflict with Roger either.

I suspect the opposition/delay comes from uncle Toni or Nike or someone else in Rafa's orbit stymieing the project under the excuse of "what's in it for us"? Rafa is not miserly himself but his team seem to be Sampras types. They don't mind Laver cup cuz they make huge money. Here they don't make a fortune, as the money is meant for charity to the African locals. So naturally team Rafa dithers.

In that case, they should do one to support Rafa's school in India.

 

[apriliano]

Rafa is grumpier than ever this year.

 

[Hawaiian grip]

Why wouldn't Rafa like Federer! They have done charities together for over a decade now. They are much closer to each other than they will be to any fan of either player. They probably share a laugh about how their fans are always fighting one another on the internet.

I do think they feel things differently though. It might not have reached the non-Spanish speaking tennis community, but Rafa always makes it clear his relationship with Roger is good but he doesn’t consider him to be his friend, because he has a very little circle of friends and doesn’t think a rival can be a friend of his until they retire.

Roger does say they are friends.

 

[ibbi]

Didn't say he doesn't. Just seems as Rafa is less interested in being buddy buddy.

I think just because Roger is the big businessman now. He has all this stuff he wants to do and he needs other big names to make it happen, hence stuff like this, and all the Laver Cup stuff, particularly with Novak last year.

 

[clayqueen]

I think just because Roger is the big businessman now. He has all this stuff he wants to do and he needs other big names to make it happen, hence stuff like this, and all the Laver Cup stuff, particularly with Novak last year.

I don't think Djoker features on Roger's radar to make things happen for him. He patiently waited 2 years for Rafa to agree, he didn't ask Djokovic in all that time.

 

[clayqueen]

Rafa is grumpier than ever this year.

 

[Gazelle]

Fed wants Rafa to like him, but I feel Rafa is like whatever to him at times.

Nadal only cares about himself, that has been obvious for a very long time.

 

[Luka888]

Why is Djokovic not there? . The Boss should be an umpire IMHO. That would do it for me

 

[Deleted member 77403]

JULY 7, 2019RAFAEL NADAL FANS
Roger Federer: “It was like, Rafa, please…”

Roger Federer jokes he had to “force” Rafael Nadal to give him a date for their South African charity match after a two-year wait:

It took me two years to find a date, but we have it.​

​

I was trying to be as little as possible annoying to the guy as I could have been. But still I had to force the issue at some stage. It was like, Rafa, please…​

Of course, we hope to have a big crowd. My dream has been reached to have a match there with Rafa in that country.​

​

https://rafaelnadalfans.com/2019/07/07/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-the-match-of-africa-date-schedule/

Rafa playing hard to get.

 

[Standaa]

Lol.

In reality it's much more likely Federer and Nadal have heated arguments as to whether @Federer and Del Potro or me have better memes. Personally I gotta side with Fedpo on this one. It's like 20-18 in Grand Threads right now.

I’d say more like 16-14

 

[GabeT]

Neither one likes each other
But they both like me
And I like Djokovic
An imposible triangle

 

[Raiden]

Djoker is in a comparatively worse position: Rafa regrets that he exists:

https://streamable.com/qlzh0

 

[The Blond Blur]

Didn't say he doesn't. Just seems as Rafa is less interested in being buddy buddy.

I wouldn't read into it too much. Rafa got engaged not too long ago. Dude goes at his own pace

 

[Lleytonstation]

I wouldn't read into it too much. Rafa got engaged not too long ago. Dude goes at his own pace

Will Fed be invited?

 

[The Blond Blur]

Will Fed be invited?

Absolutely! He can give the bride away!

 

[er4claw]

.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Absolutely! He can give the bride away!

I see Djoker is jealous.

 

[fundrazer]

Lol.

In reality it's much more likely Federer and Nadal have heated arguments as to whether @Federer and Del Potro or me have better memes. Personally I gotta side with Fedpo on this one. It's like 20-18 in Grand Threads right now.

If you two are the best we got then we're in a #WeakMemeEra.

 

[The Blond Blur]

I see Djoker is jealous.

LOL I always thought that Steve Carell looked like an older, shorter, way less athletic version of Novak

 

[tennis_pro]

Federer wanted a date with Nadal but Nadal already scheduled a date with Monaco earlier.

 

[Red Rick]

If you two are the best we got then we're in a #WeakMemeEra.

@Federer and Del Potro We can't let our dreams be memes

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

@Federer and Del Potro We can't let our dreams be memes

Weak era crypto investor salty as usual

Isn’t that the guy that cries about gifs then poasts his own nobody laughs at?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Federer often jokingly mentions the two fan bases being at loggerheads. Regarding the Wimbledon seeding saga, Roger said the formula has been in place for long but because it's Rafa, social media is rife with it, they love it. In Strokes of Genius, Rafa said something like, anyone who thinks Roger is not a great player is probably a fan of someone else. They've both got it.

It's great that they like and respect each other. The relationship grew over time. Federer resented losing to Rafa so much but Rafa kept up his end by not gloating and acknowledging Roger's greatness. It could have turned really ugly if they resented each other.

@clayqueen Your best-ever post!

 

[Bartelby]

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours .... remember that, please!

 

[stringertom]

It took this long to agree upon a date when The Nadal is least likely to back out due to injury. Anything after September is out of the question but the February date is problematic, so soon after another beatdown at AO by Joe Kovic. The Nadal was obviously not right until Rome after this past debacle in Melbourne.

 

[DSH]

How many people do they expect to fill in the stadium?

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Rafa should admit his feelings, it'd be easier.

 

[vex]

Didn't say he doesn't. Just seems as Rafa is less interested in being buddy buddy.

I think it’s the chase aspect. Rafa is a beast and he just wants to win win win. Fed’s above him and in his way. That said, he’s still a decent guy and has the utmost respect for Fed. It’s a balance for him.

Fed, meanwhile, he’s at the top, there’s not much else he can do and Djokovic is a huge boulder preventing more slam wins. He knows his windows to win are tight and he just loves to play tennis so he keeps going. Prior losses to Nadal in his prime made him respect Nadal and he’s really just at peace with his career I think

 

[True Fanerer]

A veiled, lighthearted joke about Rafa's service routine or his personality in general. Nadal doesn't get in a hurry about too many things. Federer can wait, no?

 

[sbengte]

Fed wants Rafa to like him, but I feel Rafa is like whatever to him at times.

If Fedr had sucked up to Djoker even 50% of what he did to Nedl, it would be reciprocated twice over by Djoker.

But Fedr is like that jilted lover who keeps seeking attention from someone who is not interested.

 

[Mainad]

Didn't say he doesn't. Just seems as Rafa is less interested in being buddy buddy.

With the possible exceptions of Monaco (Pico) and maybe Murray (phone calls, texts, invitations to spend time on his yacht), Rafa doesn't seem to be buddies with anyone outside of his family and close circle of friends on Mallorca.

 

[clayqueen]

Federer wanted a date with Nadal but Nadal already scheduled a date with Monaco earlier.

You lose a lot of time hating Rafa. Why waste time hating the great Rafael Nadal who doesn't even know you exist. Life is too short.

 

[Bartelby]

You lose a lot of time defending Rafa but that doesn't stop you.

You lose a lot of time hating Rafa. Why waste time hating the great Rafael Nadal who doesn't even know you exist. Life is too short.

 

[clayqueen]

With the possible exception of Murray (phone calls, texts, invitations to spend time on his yacht), Rafa doesn't seem to be buddies with anyone outside of his family and close circle of friends on Mallorca.

This is a very presumptive statement. All you know about Rafa is what you see on the internet.

 

[Gary Duane]

Didn't say he doesn't. Just seems as Rafa is less interested in being buddy buddy.

I think it's more that when Rafa is off from playing he likes to relax totally and kick back.

 

[clayqueen]

How many people do they expect to fill in the stadium?

55k

 

[Mainad]

I wouldn't read into it too much. Rafa got engaged not too long ago. Dude goes at his own pace

Wonder if the engagement will last as long as they've known each other (about 15 years)?

 

[Mainad]

This is a very presumptive statement. All you know about Rafa is what you see on the internet.

'Seem' is indeed the operative word. What do we really know about any of the players other than what we infer from the internet and media?

 

[Gary Duane]

I do think they feel things differently though. It might not have reached the non-Spanish speaking tennis community, but Rafa always makes it clear his relationship with Roger is good but he doesn’t consider him to be his friend, because he has a very little circle of friends and doesn’t think a rival can be a friend of his until they retire.

Roger does say they are friends.

That's probably because Fed is very comfortable with American English, and in AE anyone you just met 5 minutes ago with whom you are currently getting along with is a "friend".

I'm joking a bit, but there is truth to this. Facebook has only made it worse!

 

[Slightly D1]

This is one of those things where somebody says something that should be taken as a sarcastic face value joke. Instead, people on the internet who have no personal relationship with either, beyond preconceived notions derived from public appearances by a famous person, apply their baseless interpersonal relationship views to make some sort of deep analysis of it.

It’s really weird to see people attacking Nadal for AGREEING to do a charity match when it lines up with his professional and personal life time.

 

[Slightly D1]

I love Fed but him going overboard to pretend a friendly image between him and Dull has really become annoying. This is one of the biggest cheaters and most self serving guy on ATP and everything about this guy against the kind of image of Fed himself. Maybe the mysterious Fedal is real but I don’t think this supposed friendship wins many more fans for both.

You’re talking about these guys like they aren’t still normal human beings who just happen to be really good at a sport and get paid to do it along with the advertisements/sponsors from others watching them play tennis. Sorry if you’re glum that they aren’t creating some artificial WWE tier hatred for each other just for ratings.