"He's like a tiger in a cage" says Roger Federer on personality of career rival Rafael Nadal, lauds 'incredible intensity'
ATP
Roger
Federer spoke about the personality of his great rival, Rafael Nadal, and
compared him to a "tiger in a cage" on the tennis court.
The
Federer-Nadal rivalry is one of the most epic in the history of tennis, and for
many, it's the most important in the sport. These two players shared the elite ranks
of the tennis world for over 15 years and faced each other 40 times, providing
fans with memorable battles that resulted in a record of 24-16 in favor of
Nadal.
Federer
participated in the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast, where he discussed his
experiences as a friend and rival of the 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael
Nadal. He also pointed out similarities in their personalities:
"I
don’t know Rafa [Nadal] enough off-site, but he’s like a tiger in the cage
whenever I see him at the courts and I feel I’m very relaxed on and off-site.
He has incredible intensity, he’s always warming up, he’s always going around
and there’s always much stuff to do for him and he’s preparing and you can feel
like there’s always a match on his mind," he said.
"I
don’t know if we’re so opposite you know. But yeah, I guess, to some extent,
I’m may be more calm more relaxed whereas he goes, especially through the
tennis days in a more intense way when he’s on-site," the 42-year-old
added.
The Swiss
tennis legend also emphasized the importance of athletes being able to mentally
disconnect and rest during periods of inactivity on the ATP Tour to maintain a
long and successful career.
"I’m
sure that when it’s all over, every player finds a way to unwind because if you
don’t, you can’t exist on the tour for as long as it lasts. It’s a tough tour
and you have got to find ways to relax," 20-times Grand Slam champion
added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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