Fedal Reunite! Federer Visits Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 23:02 IST

Roger Federer visited the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca with his family, welcomed by Nadal. The visit follows their appearance at the Roland Garros tribute in May.

Nadal and Federer reunited at Rafa Nadal's Academy in Malaga (X)

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.

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.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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