Fedal Reunite! Federer Visits Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca
Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion, paid a special visit to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca on Thursday morning, accompanied by his wife Mirka and their children.
This marks Federer's latest return to the academy, following his role as guest of honour at its inauguration in 2016, and a previous visit in January 2024.
Federer was warmly welcomed by his longtime rival and friend Rafa Nadal, who personally gave him a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities. During the visit, several fortunate academy students had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet both tennis legends, take photographs, and be inspired by their presence.
👋🏼 @rogerfederer! Really enjoyed our morning together at the @rnadalacademy! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/xtO9NrTz18 — Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 17, 2025
This reunion comes shortly after the pair were last seen together on May 25, during the Roland Garros tribute ceremony at Court Philippe Chatrier, where Nadal was honoured for his legendary achievements at the French Open.
Nadal's Emotional Farewell to the Sport
Nadal bid farewell to professional tennis in November 2024, representing Spain one final time at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga. Physical struggles had increasingly limited his ability to compete at his usual level, and his final career title remains the 2022 Roland Garros crown—his record-extending 14th in Paris.
His swan song in Málaga didn't go as hoped, which made the Roland Garros 2025 ceremony all the more poignant. The celebration was attended by members of the iconic 'Big Four," including Federer, as a tribute to Nadal's immense contributions to the sport.
Federer and Nadal together created one of the greatest rivalries in sports history. Their contrasting styles—Federer's elegant precision versus Nadal's relentless power—produced some of the most unforgettable matches ever played. Chief among them is the 2008 Wimbledon final, widely regarded as the greatest tennis match of all time.
Between them, they secured 42 Grand Slam titles, brought tennis to unprecedented global popularity, and captivated fans with their unmatched passion and competitiveness.
Legacy of Friendship and Respect
Beyond the baseline, Federer and Nadal's relationship evolved into a deep and mutual friendship, defined by admiration and sportsmanship. Their emotional moment at the 2022 Laver Cup, where they played doubles together in Federer's farewell match, remains etched in fans' hearts as a symbol of respect and camaraderie.
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
A Trial By Fire On Debut! Viktor Gyokeres To Debut For Arsenal In North London Derby
Viktor Gyokeres could debut for Arsenal in a north London derby against Tottenham in Hong Kong. The $67 million striker joined from Sporting Lisbon and may play if fit. Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres could make his debut in one of football's fiercest rivalries — the north London derby — when the Gunners face Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on Thursday, manager Mikel Arteta revealed on Wednesday. The highly anticipated friendly will take place at Kai Tak Stadium in front of an expected crowd of 50,000, marking the first meeting between the two clubs outside the United Kingdom. The $67 million Swedish forward joined Arsenal only three days ago after completing a high-profile move from Sporting Lisbon. Despite the short turnaround, Arteta suggested Gyökeres may get some minutes on the pitch, depending on a final assessment by the club's medical staff. 'He's only done today's session and very little yesterday," Arteta told reporters after an open training session. 'We're going to assess tonight how he is. If the medical staff are happy with his condition to participate tomorrow night, it's a possibility. With the rest of the squad, everybody is OK." Gyökeres is still building his match fitness, having missed Arsenal's pre-season friendlies last week in Singapore against AC Milan and Newcastle. Meanwhile, his new teammates have already begun to sharpen up ahead of the upcoming season. The 27-year-old striker arrives in north London after a sensational season with Sporting Lisbon, where he scored 39 goals across competitions and helped the club to a Portuguese league title. He made international headlines with a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City and leaves the Portuguese side with an extraordinary record: 97 goals in 102 appearances. Gyökeres has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal. The transfer could rise to $89 million with performance-related bonuses, pushing the club's total summer spending to around $267 million. He has chosen to wear the iconic number 14 shirt, famously worn by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Alongside Gyökeres, Arsenal have bolstered their squad with several key additions: defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and forward Noni Madueke. He now aims to end the club's two-decade wait for a league title — a feat last achieved under Arsène Wenger in the 2003/04 season. (with AFP inputs) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
India Withdraw From World Championship of Legends; Forfeit Semifinal Vs Pakistan
Last Updated: India will not play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends semifinals,meaning the latter qualify for the final. India have withdrawn from the World Championship of Legends after refusing to play against Pakistan in the semifinals on Thursday. With India pulling out, Pakistan directly qualify for the final. India cited the nation's stand against any bilateral sporting ties with the neighbouring country after the gruesome Pahalagam terror attack. The Indian team, which includes legends like Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina, among others, had already expressed their unwillingness to play against Pakistan following the terror attack and the subsequent 'Operation Sindoor' launched by India. India took a similar stance in the group-stage match against Pakistan earlier in the tournament. In that game, several top former Indian cricketers had refused to play against Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. 'We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends, you've made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game. Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand," the travel-tech company's co-founder Nishant Pitti wrote on his 'X' handle. '@EaseMyTrip, we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken, and we hear them. EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL. Some things are bigger than sport. Nation first, business later. Always," he added. India Champions advanced to the semifinals of the ongoing World Championship of Legends after defeating West Indies Champions in just 13.2 overs in their last group match on Tuesday. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
First Time In 13 Years! Indian Men's Squash Team Reaches World Junior Championship Semifinal
India's men's squash team reached the 2025 World Junior Squash Championships semifinals by defeating South Korea 2-1. Anahat Singh won bronze in women's singles. India's squash contingent continues to impress on the global stage, with the men's team advancing to the semifinals of the 2025 World Junior Squash Championships in New Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday. The Indian squad edged past South Korea 2-1 in a closely contested quarterfinal, with standout performances from Yusha Nafees and Arihant K S guiding the team to victory. INDIAN MEN'S TEAM REACHED TO THE SEMIS OF JUNIOR WORLD CH'SHIPS AFTER 13 YEARSIndian Men's Team defeated South Korea🇰🇷 2-1 to confirm place in the Semis. Yusha Nafees🇮🇳 defeated Jeong Uk Ryu🇰🇷 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9) Sandhesh P R lost to Joo Young Na 0-3 (4-11, 4-11, 4-11)… — SPORTS ARENA🇮🇳 (@SportsArena1234) July 30, 2025 Quarterfinal Results: Yusha Nafees def. Jeong Uk Ryu 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9) Sandhesh P R lost to Joo Young Na 0-3 (4-11, 4-11, 4-11) Arihant K S def. Jonghyeok Lee 3-1 (11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7) This win marks only the third time India has reached the semifinals of the Junior World Championships, with previous appearances coming in 2008 and 2012. The team will now take on the United States in the semifinal clash. India also celebrated individual success as 17-year-old Anahat Singh secured a bronze medal in the women's singles category at the same event, ending the country's 15-year wait for an individual podium finish at the under-19 level. Anahat, seeded second in the draw, fell to Egypt's Nadien Elhammamy in the semifinals, losing 3-0 (11-6, 14-12, 12-10) at the Black Ball Sporting Club. In the quarterfinals, Anahat overcame Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy with a commanding 3-0 victory (11-6, 13-11, 11-5), ensuring herself a place in the final four and a guaranteed bronze. Among the eight semifinalists, seven were from Egypt, with Anahat the sole Indian representative. Currently ranked 54th in the senior world rankings and recently crowned U19 Asian girls' champion, Anahat was the only seeded Indian in the women's draw. Her achievement made her the first Indian to win a medal at the World Junior Squash Championships since Dipika Pallikal's bronze in 2010. No Indian player has yet claimed gold at the tournament, though Joshna Chinappa came close with a runner-up finish in 2005. The 2025 Junior World Championships feature a total of 234 players. The individual events ran from July 21 to 26, with team competitions continuing until August 1. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
