WATCH: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Interview Each Other

Published 09/30/2019, 3:57 PM EDT

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Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal got a chance to interview each other during the Laver Cup 2019. Over there Roger asked Rafa about his feeling when the duo met each other of the first time in Miami, Florida. “Were you nervous playing me for the very first time in Miami or not?” Roger asked.

Rafa replied, “I was more excited than nervous. Actually, I was more nervous in the later years. I was 17 at that moment, it was nothing to lose and just everything to win. I think you were a little bit sick at the moment, but I played great. So, it was an amazing experience for me. It was just passion and motivation. Now, it’s different, we know each other unbelievably well and it’s a different story.”

via Imago

In their first meeting in at ATP Masters 1000 in Miami in 2004, the present World Number two, Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in the round of 32 in straight sets. Later, the tennis duo became a crucial part of the sport and kept producing memorable tennis matches and broke the records of tennis. Their second meeting took place again in Miami in 2005, and this time it was Roger Federer winning over Rafael Nadal in five sets in the Miami Open 2005 finals.

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“What’s the feeling for you to play, by a team, or just an individual event?” Rafa asked Roger. “It’s different,” World Number three, Federer replied. “A team is always very special. Being able to go high-five, jump into somebody’s arms after winning, it’s definitely very special. When you win alone, it’s like you are alone. That’s why the Laver Cup week is special for both of us.”

The fun three days of tennis in Geneva, Switzerland concluded on September 22, 2019, with Team Europe winning over Team World of the third consecutive time.

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Mahalakshmi Murali

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.
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