It was almost as if it was written in the stars for Roger Federer to play Rafael Nadal at the place where it all began.
In 2004 the world watched with intrigue as world No.1 Federer faced 17-year-old 32nd seed Nadal in the third round of the Miami Open. Yet to win a grand slam title, the hype surrounding Spanish prodigy was mounting. Many expected experience to triumph in the encounter, but Nadal had other ideas. Powering to a 6-3, 6-3, victory he was rewarded with his first ever win over a world No.1 player.
“He hit some really incredible shots, and that’s what youngsters do,” Federer said in 2004. “I’ve heard a lot about him and saw some of his matches, so this is not a big surprise.”
A year later, Federer got his revenge in what was an epic win in five sets. The Swiss player was trailing the match 2-6, 6-7(4), before staging a comeback. It was a match that is still rooted deep inside the mind of Federer. 12 years has past since their second meeting, but still he hails it as a ‘turning point’ in his illustrious career.
“It was a turning point in my career, to be quite honest. For me to be able to focus for, I don’t know how long we played, maybe four hours, smashing forehand after forehand down the line I remember, I felt like I had to learn how to fight in matches, and there I showed it to myself and my team that I could do it.” He explained.
“It was against somebody who ended up being my biggest rival.”
Miami, 2005 final.
They were pretty good back then too…😉 pic.twitter.com/Xn7CidygYY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 2 April 2017
The start of something special
At first nobody knew how significant the rivalry was between the two tennis icons. It was only in later years that it has become known. The two men have already played each other in 22 ATP finals, including nine grand slam tournaments. Their meeting in this year’s Australian Open broke television ratings around the world. 11 million viewers watched the finale on Eurosport and its affiliated channels, including a record 1.3 million people in Spain.
This weekend marks the 37th meeting of what is now regarded as one of the greatest rivalries in the history of tennis. Federer secured his Miami final place with a marathon three-set win over the blossoming Nick Kyrgios. Meanwhile, Nadal disposed of Italy’s Fabio Fognini with little difficulty.
Federer trails their head-to-head 13-23, but is currently that man in form. This season he has already defeated Nadal twice. He has also won titles in Melbourne and Indian Wells, an inspirational achievement for a man who missed six months of 2016 due to injury. Even Nadal, who is yet to win the Miami title, acknowledges that he has hit work cut out.
“He’s playing great. When a top player like him is playing that well, then it’s always a big challenge for every player. That’s all.” Nadal said of Federer.
Federer might be the man in form at the moment, but Sunday’s match is destined to be a unique occasion for both men. Both players has relished in the glory of winning major titles and been driven to despair with to injury woes. Still the love shown to them by their fans has remained unchanged, making their rivalry even more special.
“It’s definitely going to be very special playing Rafa here again.” Federer said of Sunday’s Miami final. “Of course I’m thrilled for him (Nadal) as well that he came back as well as he did after the comeback, the struggles that he had last year. Feels like old times. We’re playing each other every week now. We can’t get enough of each other.”
Regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s final, there will always be a feeling of nostalgia when these two meet in Miami.
Previous matches played between Federer and Nadal
2017: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-2 6-3 (Last 16)
2017: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 (Final)
2015: Basel, Indoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-3 5-7 6-3 (Final)
2014: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 7-6(4) 6-3 6-3 (SF)
2013: London (ATP World Tour Finals), Indoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 7-5 6-3 (SF)
2013: Cincinnati (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 5-7 6-4 6-3 (QF)
2013: Rome (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-1 6-3 (Final)
2013: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 6-4 6-2 (QF)
2012: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-3 6-4 (SF)
2012: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 6-7(5) 6-2 7-6(5) 6-4 (SF)
2011: London (ATP World Tour Finals), Indoor Hard
Federer beat Nadal 6-3 6-0 (RR)
2011: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 7-5 7-6(3) 5-7 6-1 (Final)
2011: Madrid (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 5-7 6-1 6-3 (SF)
2011: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 6-3 6-2 (SF)
2010: London (ATP World Tour Finals), Indoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-3 3-6 6-1 (Final)
2010: Madrid (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-4 7-6(5) (Final)
2009: Madrid (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
Federer bt Nadal 6-4 6-4 (Final)
2009: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 7-5 3-6 7-6(3) 3-6 6-2 (Final)
2008: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor Grass
Nadal bt Federer: 6-4 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(8) 9-7 (Final)
2008: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-1 6-3 6-0 (Final)
2008: Hamburg (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 7-5 6-7(3) 6-3 (Final)
2008: Monte Carlo (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 7-5 7-5 (Final)
2007: China (Tennis Masters Cup), Indoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-4 6-1 (SF)
2007: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor Grass
Federer bt Nadal 7-6(7) 4-6 7-6(3) 2-6 6-2 (Final)
2007: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 (Final)
2007: Hamburg (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
Federer bt Nadal 2-6 6-2 6-0 (Final)
2007: Monte Carlo (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-4 6-4 (Final)
2006: China (Tennis Masters Cup), Indoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 6-4 7-5 (SF)
2006: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor Grass
Federer bt Nadal 6-0 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 (Final)
2006: French Open, Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6(4) (Final)
2006: Rome (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-7(0) 7-6(5) 6-4 2-6 7-6(5) (Final)
2006: Monte Carlo (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6(5) (Final)
2006: Dubai, Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 2-6 6-4 6-4 (Final)
2005: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
Nadal bt Federer 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-3 (SF)
2005: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Federer bt Nadal 2-6 6-7(4) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-1 (Final)
2004: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
Nadal bt Federer 6-3 6-3 (Last 32)
