"Hope he can go out on his terms": Roger Federer 'felt a little bit sorry' for Rafael Nadal after tough summer send-off
ATP
Roger Federer called the send-off that Rafael Nadal wanted this summer 'pretty sad' due mainly to circumstances with the Spaniard not getting what he wanted due to rough draws mainly.
Facing Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros and Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Olympic Games, Nadal has not had it easy albeit this was expected due his non seeded status.
But it has also meant that Nadal who alluded to the fact that it was his final year on the tour likely will continue into 2025 in order to get what he desires as a send-off. Federer said while he was in New York for the US Open that he called him last week and that he needed to ask him something.
Before discussing his send-off and summer, his old rival who has become a real friend in retirement hopes that he can get the send-off he desires and that he can go out on his own terms instead of being dictated by other factors. Perhaps hoping for the send-off that he never got himself.
“I actually just spoke to him this last week. He wanted to ask me something, and we had a chat, and, I felt a little bit sorry for him," he said on the Today Show whilst also discussing the Jannik Sinner case.
"That his summer didn’t go as well as planned because, at the French Open he had a tough draw. Olympics, he had a tough draw as well.
"He was hoping, I think, to get a medal. But you know, overall he can do whatever he wants. He’s been one of the most iconic tennis players we have ever had in our sport and that’s what I told him. So I just hope he can go out on his terms and the way he wants to, but he’s a great guy, great career.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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