Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal delivered one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history.
Nadal and Federer clashed 40 times on the ATP Tour over the course of their careers and produced some instant classics.
Their bout in the 2008 Wimbledon final is considered by many to be the greatest match of all time, along with their meeting in the 2017 Australian Open title bout.
The final match between the Spaniard and the Swiss star came in the 2019 Wimbledon semifinals, in which the winner would go on to face Novak Djokovic.
Federer ultimately won the match in four sets, which Nadal suggested may have been down to a shot he was ‘too worried’ about.
Rafael Nadal’s reaction to losing in the 2019 Wimbledon semifinals
In his post-match press conference that day, Nadal said of Federer: “I think his return was better than my one this afternoon.
“I didn’t receive well today. When that happens, he’s in advantage, he’s in control of the match generally because you feel a little bit more under pressure than him.
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“Even like this, I had the early break in the third. I had a couple of mistakes at that moment. That have been a tough moment I needed to resist. The beginning of the third probably was one of the keys of the match.
“Then I think at the end of the match I started to play much better, no? But was late.
“I think today the backhand didn’t work as well as in the previous rounds. I was a little bit too worried about my backhand, so I was not able to move with freedom to the forehand. I was a little bit too worried about not missing with the backhand. When that happens against player like him, is so difficult.
“As I said, I think he played aggressive, he played a great match, and just well done for him.”
Rafael Nadal’s reflection of the rivalry after their last match
When asked about how his rivalry with Federer had shaped his game, Nadal responded: “We spoke about that one thousand times.
“It is great to be part of this rivalry, to be in the middle of these three players that achieved that much in this sport in the same era. It is something that is going to be difficult to see it again. We are not done.
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“Just have been another episode this afternoon. Of course, as I said the other day, we know that every time is less chances to play against each other in this high quality, high important matches. Is another chance this afternoon. Sad for the loss because for me was another opportunity.
“But at the same time, I create another opportunity to be in another final of a Grand Slam. Just accept that it was not my day. I played a great event. I take this in a positive way.
“Today is sad because for me I know chances are not forever. Last year I had chances here, I had another one, and I was not able to convert to win it one more time here.”
Following his loss at Wimbledon in 2019, Nadal went on to win four more Grand Slams to bring his major tally up to 22.
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