Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal delivered arguably the most iconic tennis rivalry of all time.
Between 2004 and 2019, the two legends clashed a total of 40 times at ATP Tour-level events.
Nadal finished in front in the head-to-head, winning 24 of the matches while losing 16, and leading 10-4 at Grand Slams.
Who do you think was the better player? – Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal
Let us know why in the comments!
Prior to the 2015 season, the score was actually 23-10 in favour of the Spaniard, who emerged victorious more often than not in the early stages of their rivalry.
After that, however, Federer enjoyed a period of dominance over Nadal, beating him in six of their last seven meetings.
Mark Petchey explains what changed with Roger Federer late in his career
Federer’s sole defeat to Nadal from 2015 onwards came in the semifinals of Roland Garros in 2019.
| Year | Match | Winner |
| 2019 | Wimbledon semifinal | Federer |
| 2019 | Roland Garros semifinal | Nadal |
| 2017 | Shanghai final | Federer |
| 2017 | Miami final | Federer |
| 2017 | Indian Wells round of 16 | Federer |
| 2017 | Australian Open final | Federer |
| 2015 | Basel final | Federer |
When asked what the difference in Federer’s game was late on in his career in an episode of Beyond the Numbers, Emma Raducanu‘s former coach, Mark Petchey, had the answer.
Petchey explained: “The difference was a bigger racket. That was one of the big changes. Ivan Lubicic got into his head that he needed to drive returns.
“The racket, plus the mindset, was a great combination for Roger. He chipped a lot of backhand returns in the past, and Ivan had it in terms of data, which is where this stuff is so important; you might make a high quantity of returns by chipping, but you lose the majority of the rallies that ensue.
Serena Williams picked Roger Federer as the G.O.A.T.
“You are better off going for quality than quantity and the driving through allowed Roger to stand up on the baseline.
“I did actually ask Roger at New York. We were fortunate to get him at the big screen. We did some analysis back in the time.
“I said to him do you feel with this new racket that, had you had it throughout the course of your career with Rafa and the spin that you’re obviously trying to deal with, it would have helped you and he said honestly I don’t want to think about that.
“There might have been a few more majors if that was the case, but you know it had a significant impact in their head-to-head.”
Roger Federer’s decision to change rackets back in 2014
In 2014, Federer switched to a 97 square-inch frame racket, which allowed him to hit with more power and helped his often-targeted backhand.
Federer credited the change in rackets for his improved results against Nadal at the Australian Open and Indian Wells Open in 2017.
As per Tennis Channel, he said that year: “I think the backhand has gotten better because I have been able to put in so many hours onto the racquet now.
“I think all my coaches through my career have told me to go more for the backhand.
“Maybe deep down I didn’t believe I had it in the most important moments. But I think that’s changing little by little, which I’m very happy about.”
Federer ended his dry spell at Grand Slams in 2017, winning his first since Wimbledon 2012 at the Australian Open that season.
He beat Nadal in the final, in what many consider one of the greatest matches of all time.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
