no longer a Professional tennis player
Switzerland
- Tweets 2,352
- Following 90
- Followers 11,539,661
- Likes 702
It was a magical evening yesterday. Thank you again to all the players and fans who were here to share this moment with me. It means the world ❤️😊🙏🏼
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Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.
I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.
And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.
OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.
We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.
I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.
I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.
And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.
Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.
Rafa that!
Best always, your fan,
Roger
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I’ve done this thousands of times, but this one feels different. Thank you to everybody who’s coming tonight.
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Apparently I'm the oldest tennis player with a #1️⃣ ranking. Somebody might have mentioned that to me already but I had a hard time hearing 👴🏻
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Tomorrow night. My last match. Doubles with @RafaelNadal 💪🏽❤️
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Making sure I still remember how to hit trick shots #TennisAtHome
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Congrats Novak on your 20th major. I'm proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful performance, well done!
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Going to sleep well tonight. Thank you to everyone for the love and support. It means more than I could possible describe
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It was beautiful to release the news surrounded by my Mum and Dad and Mirka. Who would have thought that the journey would last this long. Just incredible!
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US Open Tennis
You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. 🤣 Thanks for all the amazing birthday wishes.🍷🍰🎈
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I could get used to playing on the same side of the net as @RafaelNadal 💪🏻👊🏻👯♂️🕺🏽🎯🔥
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So so happy and privileged to be in another @Wimbledon final. See you all Sunday 😀
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After 18 months of rehabbing and performing behind closed doors, playing on Centre Court to a passionate crowd makes it all worth it. Thank you 🚀🙌🏼
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What a battle today. Congrats on a fantastic tournament and match, @delpotrojuan
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👀🔜🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺
A Fedal Comeback.
Tennis superstars @rogerfederer and @RafaelNadal will represent Team Europe this September at #LaverCup London 2022. Premium hospitality packages available starting February 7. Multi-session tickets go on sale in early March. bit.ly/3L6eJFd
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about to hit the practice courts one last time with @RafaelNadal. might do an IG Live on the way..
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Still hearing the chants French open crowds, thank you.
I will be forever grateful for your incredible support this year 🙏
Merci!
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Sad we couldn’t face off in another epic matchup, but hopefully we have a few more to come. Get better soon Rafa. #Fedal
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I will never forget this magical evening in Mexico City with @AlexZverev
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We broke this record together!
Viva Mexico
❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Just testing @RafaelNadal's reaction time, obviously 🙄
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Here’s a helpful solo drill. Let’s see what you got! Reply back with a video and I’ll provide some tips. Choose your hat wisely 🎩😉👊 #tennisathome
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Once we finally got this thing working, yes 😂
After 15 years playing against each other... We had the first meeting between @RafaelNadal & @rogerfederer in @instagram! 😍
Dis you enjoy it? 😊
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I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty. Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history. I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain.
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Inspirational win @CocoGauff 🎉,
Been watching your 🎾 and following you for years. It’s great to see so much hard work and passion being rewarded.
You shine brighter than ever🌟
#TEAM8
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It's been a long road, and sometimes windy, but feels surreal to be back at the top. I'm just happy to be healthy and playing tennis every day 🙌🏼👊🏼
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We gave in… 😄
But we couldn‘t be happier,
Welcome to the family Willow❤️
#delfie 🐶
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Thank you Sir Andy, the feeling is mutual. You gotta love it 💚 See you on the 🌱🎾
Im not bothered by the outcome of this match at all. Just seeing Federer at 39 off the back of 2 knee surgeries playing to an empty stadium at 12.30am getting fired up is inspirational to me. Do what you ❤️
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Thank you Rotterdam! You broke the record for attendance.. 120k people! It was an amazing atmosphere 👊🏼👏🏼
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Wooohoooooo!!!🥂💥🕺Goodbye 2018➡ Let’s go 2019!#happynewyear
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Thank you Australia for the support, the passion and all the epic memories. Can't wait until next year. #RF20 #ausopen #Norman #readyforsomerest
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I agree @RafaelNadal. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it’s critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward.
The world is living a difficult and complicated situation. I personally believe these are times to be calm and work all of us together in the same direction. It is time for unity, not for separation.
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Happy to be back on Twitter. #itsbeenawhile 🙋🏼♂️👋🏼
Happy to back in Geneva. 🇨🇭#happy Happy to be back @LaverCup #finally ⚫️🔵
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Means a lot Andre, loved our matches and miss you 🙏
Your game and spirit taught us how beautiful tennis can be played, @RogerFederer. Every moment you shared has left us all better off.
Thank you, RF 🙏🏼
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What a wild week here in Shanghai. Thanks to all the fans and the tournament and staff for making it so special ✌🏻❤️
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Bring it on, champ 🕺💃 @GarbiMuguruza
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👋🏽 @elliegoulding your performance last night made the evening absolutely perfect. Can’t thank you enough for being there ❤️
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