There is hardly anyone, who is yet to hear about the famous Federer-Nadal rivalry in tennis. Known to mesmerize their fans with their 40 encounters against each other on the court, Nadal and Federer have also supported each other’s off-court works. Be it Federer’s docuseries or retirement, it can’t go without the Mallarcan’s presence. As the duo joins hands for a new project, Nadal’s quirky revelation about Federer takes fans on a nostalgic journey of their on-court banter.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal became the ambassadors of the famous luxury brand Louis Vuitton’s latest campaign Core Values.  Sitting on top of a Louis Vuitton jumbo suitcase on a snowy mountain, these two legends indulged in a hearty conversation remembering their rivalry and first meeting. While Federer humbly said “I don’t” remember the first time meeting with the Spaniard, Nadal surprised their fans with his answer. “I do remember, probably not him. When you won your first Wimbledon. It was 2003. You were a little bit arrogant (laughs). No honestly, you were super nice. I was just arriving on the tour and a junior, so I was super shy to talk to you. But you were very nice” said the Mallarcan.

These arch-rivals who played against each other forty times on the court, seemed a bit emotional remembering the day their rivalry was born. Nadal ended his Wimbledon journey in 2003 after losing against Paradorn Srichaphan in the tour’s third round, whereas Federer won the Slam that year.

Despite not remembering the first meeting, Federer revealed that he first noticed the Spaniard at the Monte Carlo Masters that year. As a 17-year-old debutant, Nadal performed outstandingly through the qualifiers of the tour. “I do remember your first match in Monaco,” Federer said. “He was super young, so good. And, of course we were all thinking: another Spaniard, another claycourter, dirt-baller, future top-tenner or maybe probably even more. And he achieved everything,”  Federer further added about Nadal.

Nadal’s revelations about meeting Federer for the first time showcase the aura that the Swiss possessed among the tennis fraternity. It also showed Nadal’s deeply rooted respect for his colleague and longest rival in tennis, Federer. On the other hand, Federer also showcased how special his rivalry with Nadal was.

Roger Federer reveals that his first match against Nadal “will always be very meaningful”

In this same campaign, Federer delved deeper into his rivals like Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. However, he still chooses to present how playing against Rafa meant more special to him. “And I mean, that was cool, you know, to see the young players come up. The Murrays, the Djokovics, and having a chance to play them the very first time. That first match (against Nadal) will always be very meaningful, even though I lost it,”

Federer goes into the detail to express his feelings. He added- “And it’s been a great rivalry with so many other players, but Rafa, of course, with his playing style and his sort of attitude on court at a young, young age, was not like everybody else. You could feel that there was something special, for sure,”

Rafael Nadal remembering his first meeting with Federer truly melted the fans’ hearts. They could echo Navratilova as she said, “there is no Federer without Nadal”