Roger Federer might have retired from professional tennis but his relationship with Rafael Nadal remains the same. After taking his permanent break, Federer has indulged in many activities, attending high-profile events. No matter how busy his life has been, the Swiss legend didn’t forget to pay a visit to his friend’s dream project. As he dropped a few words, it caught Nadal’s sister’s attention. Acknowledging Federer’s gesture, Maribel Nadal did something that highlighted Federer’s relationship with the whole Nadal family.

Federer extended his support for his old pal and colleague Rafael Nadal by offering a great testimony for the Spaniard’s academy in Mallorca. In January, the Swiss legend visited the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy and posed for a photograph with the Mallorcan star. Nadal accompanied Federer to his Academy because Federer had witnessed its development since its inception. In fact, the Swiss legend was also the Academy’s guest of honor in 2016.

The Rafa Nadal Academy’s Instagram page shared Federer’s compliment with Eurosport’s Spanish division. “His Academy in Mallorca is credible. You should go and have a look at it if you haven’t been to see it yet, it’s a wonderful academy,” said Federer. The social media page not only shared his statement but dropped a “Thank you”, expressing their gratitude to the former ATP number one. Nadal’s sister Mariable Nadal shared the post on her official Instagram story and tagged Federer with a heart emoji and a hugging emoji. It showcased Maribel Nadal’s delight in receiving generous support from the Swiss legend.

Federer had a great experience visiting the academy. A trainee from the Academy shared his picture with the GOATs and jokingly included himself in the tennis “Big 3.” The Swiss legend clicked pictures with Nadal’s uncle and Academy Director, Toni Nadal’s son Joan Nadal. Federer’s presence delighted Nadal, and his happiness could be seen through his social media posts. “Great to have you here with me today my friend. Thanks for the visit and hope to see you again very soon 🙏🏻,” he wrote adding images of his colleague’s tour of his Academy.

Rafael Nadal has shared a bond with Federer so close that their friendship and rivalry have been the talk of the sport for years. A few weeks ago, Nadal offered a motivational speech to the graduates of his Academy and reminded people how close he is to his former Swiss colleague. It highlights how strong their connection is, and at the same time, reveals what good human beings they have always been.

Rafael Nadal remembered Roger Federer in his understanding of “legacy”

Rafael Nadal invoked a conversation while delivering a commencement speech to his Academy’s graduates in June. Remembering their Louis Vuitton commercial on the Swiss Alps, Nadal said, “There in the mountains, we had a very interesting conversation about a word that I think is very important: legacy, Both Roger and I agree on something we believe is of the utmost importance. How would we like to be remembered in a few years?”

After dropping the question, the Mallorcan starts delving deeper. “We are both very sure of our answers. It’s great that our achievements, our titles and our records are recognised, but as the years go by it is probable that someone will arrive and do something better. Therefore, both Roger and I agree that we would like to be remembered as good people,” he concluded.

Nadal’s statement delighted the tennis fraternity, highlighting how his and Federer’s aim to be good people makes them greater than any tennis legends. At the same time, people were amazed to see how Nadal invoked Federer’s idea of being a good person as motivation for his Academy’s graduates.

Roger Federer’s statement about Nadal’s Academy highlights his love for his former colleague and friend for life. However, the way Nadal’s sister acknowledged Federer’s gesture showed that the Swiss legend was friends with the whole Nadal family. Nevertheless, Federer’s gesture delighted the fraternity. While there is no more chance to see Federer and Nadal on the court against each other, their friendship will remain etched in people’s hearts.