"We appreciated that our matches were something different" - Nadal on the legacy of the 'Fedal' rivalry

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer shared a very intense rivalry that grew into a strong friendship over the years and it's always going to be a part of history.

When Roger Federer started dominating the tennis tour, maybe thought he would be unstoppable but another legend of the game soon joined him in dominating the game. Fans were ecstatic about it and some were upset after Djokovic inserted himself into it as well but for most, the 'Fedal' rivalry will always be something special.

It's the same for Nadal who talked about it recently in a Spanish radio interview:

"At the beginning it is a sports rivalry in which you want more and have the ambition of wanting and wanting more. Later on, of course, you want to win. Of course you want to be better than the other, but I think that both of us, beyond wanting to be better than the other or the others, we have appreciated that our matches were something a little different."

Nadal thorougly enjoyed battling Federer and he's very sad that he won't be able to do that anymore:

"We have known how to live the rivalry and I think we have known how to live it well, enjoy it and understand that the personal relationship was more important than anything else. Somehow, we have a good feeling between us and this feeling has been getting stronger."

And concluded with:

"In the end, we have experienced many things together. I think we have done many things that I trust have been good for the sport and I have shared with him many of them, both on court and off it. Difficult moments, but also beautiful ones."