The last episode in the Federer - Nadal Saga

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I don't think any of us realistically thought that this was going to be their last professional match against each other; the way both of them had rejuvenated themselves after the disappointment of last few months of 2018 was certainly a good omen.

After their meeting at French open a few weeks ago & given Rafa's form coming into this match, I expected Rafa to cruise through with Roger winning barely a set by 7-5 or 7-6 at most. However, Roger upped his level massively, played his best match since 2018, and this is what it turned out to be. Even though Rafa lost this match, I'm happy for Roger to have won this match & definitely would've liked for him to end his career on a high note. But life's not perfect.

Enjoy the highlights of the last Fedal match, they're probably the best ones I've found on YouTube.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@Lleytonstation did you watch this one live?

 

[Lleytonstation]

@Lleytonstation did you watch this one live?

Yes. I have watched all these since 05 live (pretty much). But never seen one in person.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Yes. I have watched all these since 05 live (pretty much). But never seen one in person.

Oh man you're so consistent. I've missed a fair share of matches, atleast 6 of them.
And about attending in person, yes the same here. I've watched both of them separately many times, but not even once on the same court.

 

[AO13]

Old man played a heck of a tournament.

A second away from beating Nadal and Djokovic back to back and winning a Wimbledon title at almost 38 years of age.

 

[Third Serve]

Honestly not a bad match to end on at all.

Very fitting that their last two encounters were at RG and Wimbledon.

 

[Ombelibable]

Yes. I have watched all these since 05 live (pretty much). But never seen one in person.

Same man; same

 

[Booger]

https://imgur.com/SjF4Fa5

 

[tennis_error]

Actually, this is the last episode in their saga.
Hope they lived happily ever after

 

[thepaint19]

I don't think any of us realistically thought that this was going to be their last professional match against each other; the way both of them had rejuvenated themselves after the disappointment of last few months of 2018 was certainly a good omen.

After their meeting at French open a few weeks ago & given Rafa's form coming into this match, I expected Rafa to cruise through with Roger winning barely a set by 7-5 or 7-6 at most. However, Roger upped his level massively, played his best match since 2018, and this is what it turned out to be. Even though Rafa lost this match, I'm happy for Roger to have won this match & definitely would've liked for him to end his career on a high note. But life's not perfect.

Enjoy the highlights of the last Fedal match, they're probably the best ones I've found on YouTube.

Did ya really need to make another Federer thread? Fed's expert trolls are already doing it, no need for more....

 

[TheFifthSet]

Fascinating way for their rivalry to end.

Nadal was getting bucketloads of free points off his serve (I think 41% of his serves went unreturned, Fed was in the low 30’s), while Fed was actually the better court player.

 

[threehandedbackhand]

Actually, this is the last episode in their saga.
Hope they lived happily ever after

This is Bromancest Of All Time.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Old man played a heck of a tournament.

A second away from beating Nadal and Djokovic back to back and winning a Wimbledon title at almost 38 years of age.

His rejuvenation was kind of building up towards it when you look at it. After the massive fall in form following the final lost in Indian Wells to JMDP, hs was MIA until Dubai next year & then slowly built up towards Wimbledon.
Its a shame he lost that one.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Fascinating way for their rivalry to end.

Nadal was getting bucketloads of free points off his serve (I think 41% of his serves went unreturned, Fed was in the low 30’s), while Fed was actually the better court player.

I'd have to agree about Roger being the better court player, although only in last 2 sets I'd say.
First 2 sets, Rafa was the better one off the ground.

 

[Tennfan123]

I thought live meant in person.
Wouldn’t the term be in real time?

 

[gjm127]

Honestly not a bad match to end on at all.

Very fitting that their last two encounters were at RG and Wimbledon.

Really sucks the Paris weather wouldn't cooperate at the RG SF. It was so windy, didn't make sense to play. Roger would have probably won a set in good conditions.

 

[serbiavic]

Glorious result.

 

[AO13]

His rejuvenation was kind of building up towards it when you look at it. After the massive fall in form following the final lost in Indian Wells to JMDP, hs was MIA until Dubai next year & then slowly built up towards Wimbledon.
Its a shame he lost that one.

From a perspective of a primarily Djokovic fan, I am happy Novak won it.

But I remember it as if it was yesterday; on two match points for Roger, I said it. Federer is the GOAT, for all time no matter what happens in the future. I was stunned by his game, mentality, everything.

And there I was at the end of the game, saying Novak is the GOAT. In my wildest dreams I didn't think Novak would turn out that game. That game will be his life's work. He cemented mental GOAT of tennis forever, by beating the former GOAT.

 

[weakera]

Actually, this is the last episode in their saga.
Hope they lived happily ever after

Beautiful image.

 

[Rosstour]

And Rafa fittingly dispatched his pigeon, putting the exclamation point on his total domination of the eternal fraud.

 

[Nadal_King]

Isn’t it fitting there last 2 meetings were at Rg and Wimbledon with Rafa and Roger winning those matches respectively. There matches at Rg and Wimbledon in 2000s is what defined this rivalry and started the golden era

 

[rUDin 21]

After Covid struck in March 20, i knew we wouldn't see another Fedal match ever again.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Actually, this is the last episode in their saga.
Hope they lived happily ever after

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

If Fed didn't Choke on 40-15 to Nole... Again, he probably would have retired GOAT as he would have dispatched of Nadal/Nole at 38 at Wimbledon even if Nadal/Nole still surpassed his slam count Failure on coversions of 40-15s have drastic consquences

 

[tennis_error]

If Fed didn't Choke on 40-15 to Nole... Again, he probably would have retired GOAT as he would have dispatched of Nadal/Nole at 38 at Wimbledon even if Nadal/Nole still surpassed his slam count Failure on coversions of 40-15s have drastic consquences

We don't read this first time here, and I don't know what that victory would change if Federer is still surpassed after. I mean, that would be great victory, but it would be victory at his best tournament, best chance of doing back to back win. It's not like he would win FO beating Djokodal. Bringing age in equation, when Nadal and Djokovic win slams at large age themselves doesn't mean anything.

 

[socallefty]

I remember thinking that if Nadal won the Wimbledon semifinal, it would be a better final against Djokovic after their classic semifinal in 2018. Little did I know that Federer had it in him still to beat Nadal fairly routinely and then come within a point of winning the final against Djokovic.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Isn’t it fitting there last 2 meetings were at Rg and Wimbledon with Rafa and Roger winning those matches respectively. There matches at Rg and Wimbledon in 2000s is what defined this rivalry and started the golden era

Absolutely

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

After Covid struck in March 20, i knew we wouldn't see another Fedal match ever again.

To be fair, after the AO20 & multiple withdrawals that followed, it was clear Roger's no longer gonna be a part of the game.

 

[initialize]

It was definitely a fitting end. Fed proving himself he was indeed Rafa’s master even while being 6 years older…simply crazy

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

It was definitely a fitting end. Fed proving himself he was indeed Rafa’s master even while being 6 years older…simply crazy

24-16

 

[NatF]

Nadal won their first match, Fed their last. Poetic really.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Nadal won their first match, Fed their last. Poetic really.

Yes.
The rivalry which defines tennis

 

[initialize]

24-16

Davydenko

 

[alexio]

Davydenko

roddick

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Davydenko

Good player indeed. But very limited to BO3 I'd say.

 

[Oceans II]

It was definitely a fitting end. Fed proving himself he was indeed Rafa’s master even while being 6 years older…simply crazy

 

[D.Nalby12]

Post 2017 Federer owned Nadal except on clay. It showed in this match as well..

 

[thrust]

Nadal won their first match, Fed their last. Poetic really.

Wasn't their first match in the Miami finals where Federer won in 5, having lost the first two sets?

 

[NatF]

Wasn't their first match in the Miami finals where Federer won in 5, having lost the first two sets?

First match was R3 (?) of Miami in 2004, second match was a year later in the finals.

 

[Krish872007]

Nadal won their first match, Fed their last. Poetic really.

Nadal the youngest player to ever beat Federer, Federer the oldest to beat Nadal.
Nadal beat Fed at RG, Fed got him at Wimbledon in 2019 - just like back in the old days
2 legends
2 contrasting styles

 

[thrust]

First match was R3 (?) of Miami in 2004, second match was a year later in the finals.

Okay, thanks!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Fed played like a beast in this match. He released the hellfire of pent-up emotions from losing 08 and having it fester for so long. A shame he couldn’t hit an ace in the final

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Wasn't their first match in the Miami finals where Federer won in 5, having lost the first two sets?

Miami 2004

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Fed played like a beast in this match. He released the hellfire of pent-up emotions from losing 08 and having it fester for so long. A shame he couldn’t hit an ace in the final

He actually played much better in the semis, especially off the FH wing than he did in the final.