![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/5016393.jpg?r=1697534597533\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Roger Federer has confessed that he doesn\u2019t miss facing his old foe Rafael Nadal. The Swiss star retired from professional tennis 13 months ago, coincidentally playing his final match in the doubles alongside Nadal at the Laver Cup. But the 42-year-old said he was happy that he no longer had to face the \u201ctiger\u201d on a tennis court after meeting 40 times during his career.<\/p>\n
Federer and Nadal were part of a thrilling rivalry that carried men\u2019s tennis for 15 years, with Novak Djokovic only adding to the intensity when he joined them to form the Big Three. The Swiss star and the 22-time Major champion first faced off at the 2004 Miami Open where teenage newcomer Nadal stunned then-world No 1 Federer in straight sets.<\/p>\n
Their last meeting came in the semi-final of Wimbledon in 2019, where Federer got revenge after losing to Nadal a few weeks earlier at the French Open. The 42-year-old retired with a losing 16-24 record against the Spaniard but the pair managed to form a bond following their years on tour as Nadal played alongside his rival in Federer\u2019s final match.<\/p>\n
Looking back on their rivalry, Federer admitted that he wasn\u2019t missing his intense contests with Nadal. \u201cI haven’t thought about it, to be honest, if I miss playing Rafa,\u201d the retired tennis icon told the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast.<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/strong><\/p>\n Just in <\/strong> Carlos Alcaraz warned that ‘master’ Novak Djokovic could ruin his dream for 2023[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNot really, you know. Maybe more so happy not to play, just glad I’m not in that tough match where you stare down a centre court match with one of the greats. It\u2019s nerve-racking you know. I had it so often that it’s good not to have it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Federer\u2019s rivalry with Nadal captivated tennis audiences because they were the perfect opposites – the 20-time Major champion known for his elegance on a tennis court while the Spaniard has a reputation for his intensity, playing every point as if it\u2019s his last. While the Swiss player wasn\u2019t sure whether they were total opposites, he admitted Nadal was like a \u201ctiger in the cage\u201d at tournaments.<\/p>\n The 103-time title winner added: \u201cI don\u2019t know Rafa enough off-site, but he\u2019s like a tiger in the cage whenever I see him at the courts. I feel I\u2019m very relaxed on and off-site. He has incredible intensity, he\u2019s always warming up, he\u2019s always going around and there\u2019s always so much stuff to do for him and he\u2019s preparing and you can feel like there\u2019s always a match on his mind.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> \u201cI don\u2019t know if we\u2019re so opposite you know. But I guess, to some extent, I may be more calm and more relaxed whereas he goes, especially through the tennis days in a more intense way when he\u2019s on-site.\u201d<\/p>\n While Federer has now been retired for more than a year, Nadal is still hoping to mount a return to competition – even if it\u2019s just to say goodbye. The Spaniard has been sidelined since picking up a psoas injury at January\u2019s Australian Open and underwent surgery in June. During a press conference in May, he said he would shut down his season and return in 2024 for what could be a farewell tour.<\/p>\n Nadal is currently practising at his academy and recently took the pressure off the potential of his retirement next season, admitting that he wasn\u2019t committing to a specific end date and that he had no expectations for his comeback<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/5016399.jpg?r=1697534597586\")
<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic continues to fire shots at tennis bosses and vows ‘I won’t stop'[MESSAGE] <\/strong>
Chinese star celebrates winning title by singing to crowd after trophy lift[RECAP] <\/strong>
Emma Raducanu comeback verdict given by US Open victim[QUOTES] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/5016401.jpg?r=1697534598685\")
<\/p>\n