Nadal says he’s a sensitive person while reflecting on Federer’s retirement (AP)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nadal says it was hard not to get emotional at Federer’s farewell
- Nadal admits things may have got a little out of hand while reflecting on iconic photo with Federer
- Nadal and Federer lost to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the Swiss maestro’s final match
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has said it was hard not to get emotional after Roger Federer’s retirement match at the Laver Cup. Federer called time on his glittering career after participating in a doubles event with long-time rival Nadal.
Federer and Nadal teamed up for a doubles match against Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe but ended up losing 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9. The match was followed by an emotional farewell, with Nadal and Federer holding hands at one point while in tears.
The Spaniard said he is a sensitive person and insisted it was hard not to get emotional seeing Federer retire.
“I’m a sensitive person, when you see someone you appreciate saying goodbye it’s hard not to get emotional. It was difficult for it not to happen because of everything that was experienced that night,” Nadal told COPE.
Nadal also said things got a little out of hand, reflecting on his and Federer’s iconic photo.
“It got a little out of hand, and the worst thing is that when I went to the dressing room it happened again. Like everything, the relationship had different stages. It’s been a relationship that was good from the beginning but that grown stronger over the years,” Nadal added.
The 36-year-old also said that the personal relationship he enjoyed with Federer was more important than their professional relationship.
“Thanks to that, people who weren’t interested in tennis took some interest in our sport. Our way of seeing the rivalry and the world has meant that the personal relationship we’ve shared has probably been even more important than the professional relationship we’ve had,” said Nadal.
Nadal’s time on the court this year has been injury-laden and the former World No.1 admitted to AS, as quoted by Hindustan Times, that he was close to retiring from the sport and thought that the French Open would be his final tournament.
