Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after their final match at Wimbledon in 2019.
Roger Federer could “consider” taking on Rafael Nadal in a special exhibition match, according to his long-time agent.
It has been two years since Federer officially retired from tennis, playing alongside Nadal in a doubles defeat to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the 2022 Laver Cup in London.
Since then, the 20-time Grand Slam champion has steered clear of appearing on court in any sort of exhibition, instead taking on a behind-the-scenes role masterminding the Laver Cup.
He was front and centre at the event in Berlin this week, but could we see him face his most enduring rival on a tennis court sooner rather than later?
Federer and Nadal famously contested a ‘Battle of Surfaces’, split between grass and clay, back in 2007, while the charity ‘Match for Africa’ back in 2020 set a new record for the world’s largest tennis crowd.
Over 51,000 people were in the stands for that match, but that record could be broken if rumours about a special match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid eventually come to fruition.
Speaking to Marca, Federer’s long-time agent Tony Godsick – who helps the Swiss run the Laver Cup – suggested that fans should not discount the possibility.
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He said: “Since Roger retired he hasn’t wanted to play another match as long as he doesn’t feel physically well.
“To my mind comes the record of spectators that they beat in South Africa. We like to do big things. If there is an option to beat that one day, I’m sure Roger will consider it.
“They both like to collaborate and I like working with Carlos Costa [Nadal’s agent]. I have very good memories. We did the half-grass, half-earth exhibition in Mallorca…. Anything is possible in the future.”
All eyes will be on if and when any potential announcement is made, though a lot may ultimately depend on Nadal.
The Spaniard is yet to confirm an official retirement date but there is no doubt that his career is winding down, and he may wait until he is officially retired to organise such a match – or use it as his farewell.
Federer and Nadal’s rivalry is one of the most famous in tennis history and helped revitalise the men’s game across the mid-2000s and 2010s.
The pair met 40 times across 15 years, starting with a first meeting at the Miami Open in 2004, won by Nadal, and a final meeting at Wimbledon in 2019, where the Swiss prevailed.
Nadal led the overall head-to-head 24-16, though Federer won seven of their last eight contests.
