The rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is the most popular and celebrated one in Tennis history. What they bring to the table which makes their rivalry a supreme one? Elegance, athleticism, demonstration of skill, fighting spirit, power and much more. Over the years these two managed to pull crowd in numbers and no one could have ask for much more than seeing these two executing their skills on a Tennis court.
In the past decade these two legends have featured in numerous encounters and have taken the game of Tennis to the next level. However, the Spaniard has the Swiss numbers by defeating him 23 times where as the Swiss managed to beat the Spaniard just 10 times in their 33 meetings. In those 33 meetings these two has featured in many close contests and have played their match of their life and have achieved the pinnacle of glory.
Let’s have a look at the top five clashes between these two:
5. Miami Masters 2004, third round:
This is where the Spaniard made a mark and announced himself to the world of Tennis. Roger Federer just became the world no 1 and he was slated to face the 17 year old baby faced Nadal who was ranked 34 in the third round affair and it seemed to be just another easy go through for the Swiss. Guess what? The Spaniard took it to the Swiss and decimated the world no 1 and defeated him in straight sets. People went berserk and wondered who is this kid? Nadal therefore went on to make one of the huge upsets in the tour defeating the Swiss 6-3,6-3. From then Nadal transformed into one of the best players in the world.
4. Rome Masters 2006, Final:
This was the occasion where the Swiss challenged the Spaniard in his most dominant clay surface but couldn’t emerge victorious and the Spaniard went on to reign in his most favourite surface once again. Nadal came back from being down 4-2 and then went on to win the final set in tie break. Nadal defeated Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5). Nadal then registered his 53 straight wins in clay equalling Guillermo Villas. There was a chance for the Swiss to make history by taking down Nadal in clay but he failed despite the huge fight he put on.
3. Wimbledon 2007, Final:
When the Spaniard gets the better of Roger Federer on clay, the Swiss gets the better of the Nadal on grass. This has been the routine and it was the same case in the 2007 Wimbledon finals. A close five setter in which the Swiss prevailed and the agony continued for Nadal in defeating the Swiss on grass. Federer got the better of the Spaniard by defeating him 7-6(7), 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2. The Spaniard fought hard in the fourth round but couldn’t carry on the momentum in the much needed fifth set and ended up losing 6-2 which fetched the Swiss his record equalling 5th consecutive Wimbledon.
2. Australian Open 2009, Final:
Nadal’s attempt to win three grand slams on three different surfaces didn’t go in vain as the Spaniard defeated the Swiss in another tight 5 set encounter and reigned supreme at the Melbourne park. Nadal was superior in dictating play in the crucial points which made the huge difference even though the match lasted for 5 sets. However, the Swiss made Nadal run for his money by dominating in parts. Nadal managed to defeat Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2 which left the Spaniard to win just the US open to claim his career slam which he later achieved in the year 2010.
1. Wimbledon 2008, Final:
One could certainly run out of superlatives to describe the intensity of this epic clash, probably regarded as the best ever match played at the centre court Wimbledon. The match seemed to be in the hands of Nadal when he took the first two sets comfortably 6-4, 6-4. But it wasn’t the case as the Swiss turned the tables around by claiming the next two sets and it looked all done and dusted for the Spaniard as the Swiss managed to save couple of match points in the process. Amidst all the drama, tension and pressure the Spaniard held his nerve in the most important final set and finally the time came for Nadal and served for the championship and a unforced error from Federer resulted in Nadal winning his first ever Wimbledon title which will certainly go down as one of the best ever grand slam finals.