‘You made me reimagine my game’ - Federer pays tribute to retiring Nadal

Swiss publishes emotional letter on social media.

Team Europe's Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (right) during a press conference ahead of the Laver Cup.

Roger Federer has published a long letter paying tribute to great rival Rafael Nadal ahead of the Spaniard’s retirement, saying: “Your old friend is always cheering for you.” 

Nadal is bidding goodbye to tennis at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga this week, with Spain beginning their campaign against the Netherlands later on Tuesday. Federer and Nadal’s rivalry defined one of the greatest eras in the sport, with the pair locking horns 40 times between 2004 and 2019.