"He achieved everything": Roger Federer fondly looks back on first memories of Rafael Nadal and their "really special" meeting in Miami

In a heart-warming conversation with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer looked back on the day their rivalry was born. The Swiss maestro also revealed his first impression of the Spaniard and praised Nadal’s legendary rise since.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer recently broke the internet with their snowy adventure as part of Louis Vuitton’s ‘Core Values’ campaign. Amid the snowfall and the backdrop of a mountain, the arch-rivals reminisced about their careers and their on-court meetings.

While the Spaniard revealed that he distinctly remembered meeting Federer for the first time after his maiden Grand Slam triumph at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, the Swiss confessed to having no memory of the same. He, however, said that he first noticed Rafael Nadal earlier that year during his Monte-Carlo Masters debut.

The Spaniard, aged 17 at the time, staged an inspired run in Monte-Carlo, reaching the third round after battling through qualifiers. He was downed by eventual runner-up Guillermo Coria.

"I do remember your first match in Monaco," Federer said during their recent conversation.

The former World No. 1 added that the tour already had an inkling of what lay ahead for them – all of which, he said, proved correct.

"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," Roger Federer noted.

The Swiss also recalled their “special” first meeting which came a year later, in the third round of the Miami Open – the outcome of which surprised many.

"For me, I think the really, really special moment was when I was World No. 1 in 2004 and I played in Miami and he actually beat me, which was maybe a surprise to some," he said.

At this point, Rafael Nadal chimed in, noting that Roger Federer was recovering from a heatstroke he suffered during his run in Indian Wells. The latter, though, clarified that he was beaten ‘fair and square’ in the 6-3, 6-3 loss.

"But you were a little bit sick," the 22-time Grand Slam winner said, laughing.

"I had a sunstroke, actually," the Swiss agreed. "But still he beat me fair and square."

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Roger Federer on his rivalry with Rafael Nadal: "I don’t miss those days, but I miss them"

The Swiss and the Spaniard pictured at the 2022 Laver Cup 2022

Roger Federer scripted iconic rivalries with the likes of Rafael Nadal (40 meetings), Novak Djokovic (50 meetings) and Andy Murray (25 meetings) across almost two decades. He cherished the memories of their rise.

"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," he said during the same conversation.

The Swiss and the Spaniard’s final clash came in the semifinals of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. The former concluded their rivalry with a win and a 24-16 record in the Spaniard’s favor.

Federer said that while he enjoyed great battles with several other players on the tour, those with Nadal were special.

"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," he said.

"I don’t miss those days, but I miss them because it was obviously a big moment when we played each other," he added.