Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal delivered one of the greatest rivalries that tennis has ever seen.
The two clashed on 40 separate occasions during their time on the ATP Tour, with the Spaniard winning their career head-to-head 24-16.
Federer and Nadal contested nine Grand Slam finals and delivered a number of instant classics, including the 2008 Wimbledon title bout, which many consider the greatest match of all time.
Before Novak Djokovic came along and surpassed both of their Grand Slam tallies, the GOAT (Greatest of all time) debate was largely between the other two members of the ‘big three’.
Though many are still undecided to this day over who was better between Federer and Nadal, tennis legend Boris Becker once weighed in on the comparison.
When Boris Becker compared Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
In a 2020 column he wrote for the Daily Mail, Becker compared the forehands of Federer and Nadal, with the two greats counting the shot as their best weapon.
The German said: “Federer’s shot is a bit of a throwback to the eighties, a flatter stroke than Rafa’s. Devastating from anywhere on the court, but not quite the monster that the Spaniard possesses.”
Becker explained Nadal’s uniquely high follow-through gives his forehand “so much power and spin, making it bounce up high in a way that has, in particular, broken down so many opposing backhands.”
Analysing their backhands, the six-time Grand Slam champion said: “His [Federer’s] backhand slice, which imparts a deceptive amount of spin, is better than that of his rival.”
He claimed Nadal’s backhand was a ‘weakness’ early on in his career, but improved greatly as the years went on.
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Becker said both Federer’s serve and volley were marginally better than Nadal’s, but that the 22-time major winner had better movement, stating: “For someone of his size, and with his muscularity, he is an incredible mover.
“The way he scrambles around to get so many balls back from seemingly impossible situations is scarcely believable.”
In terms of who was the best all-rounder on surfaces, Becker gave both Federer and Nadal a 10 out of 10.
“You could argue that clay has been a bit of a weakness,” he said of the Swiss Maestro. “But obviously he has the edge over Rafa on grass. How do you not give 10 to someone who has won 20 Slams across the surfaces?
“Yes, the majority of his [Nadal’s] majors are on clay, but he has won Wimbledon twice, and let’s not forget four US Opens over a nine-year timespan to go with his Australian Open. Again, that has to make him a 10.”
Nadal went on to win two more Grand Slams after Becker’s article was published, emerging victorious at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2022.
What Boris Becker said about Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s popularity
Both Federer and Nadal were, and still are, incredibly popular among tennis fans across the world.
Comparing their popularity, Becker said: “[Federer is] one of the great global ambassadors of sport, and maybe among the most famous people in the world.
“You could put him up there with the likes of Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan. He is probably even more well-liked than Rafa, but that is an incredibly high bar.
“I first met Rafa when he was 14 and can honestly say he hasn’t changed. I think people recognise his humility and the respectful way in which he carries himself. He is someone to be enormously admired.”
The two have had an enormous impact on the sport, and set an outrageously high bar for the next generation.
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