"I was worried Rafael Nadal might quit before me" - Roger Federer sheds light on "signs" pointing to Spaniard's struggle with longevity

Roger Federer has disclosed that he once harbored concerns about Rafael Nadal retiring from tennis before him. The Swiss also shed light on the signs indicating that Nadal might not be able to prolong his tennis career.

Federer bid an emotional farewell to the sport at the 2022 Laver Cup, surrounded by his arch-rivals Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and the Spaniard. With the 20-time Grand Slam champion's retirement journey being chronicled in the upcoming documentary 'Federer: 12 Final Days,' he recently looked back on the end of his illustrious career.

In an interview with El Pais, Roger Federer addressed Rafael Nadal's thoughts on potentially being the first among them to retire due to his persistent injury issues, despite being five years younger than the Swiss.

Federer admitted to sharing a similar perspective, revealing that there were "signs" that suggested the Spaniard wouldn't have been able to enjoy as much longevity as he has.

"Yeah, I mean, I was worried that he might quit before me. There were signs that made us feel that Rafa was not well and that he was not going to last as long as he has. I didn't think I could play beyond 37 or 38, and the same for him, but then you find a place again where you start to feel better," he said.

Nevertheless, the Swiss legend expressed contentment at retiring before Nadal, Djokovic, or Murray, conveying his delight at witnessing them battle their physical issues to extend their careers.

"That's why there is a moment in the film in which I say that I am happy to have left first, so that they also have a phase in their careers in which I am not there, because I had that moment before Rafa, Novak appeared [Djokovic] and Andy [Murray]. So I'm glad that they are still playing and fighting with their problems and their physical issues," he added.

"I was worried that Rafael Nadal might leave, I thought he could do so after beating Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final" - Roger Federer

The Spaniard defeated Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final

Roger Federer also revealed that he had expected Rafael Nadal to announce his retirement after his dream run to the 2022 Australian Open title, where he battled back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final.

The Swiss disclosed that he had also contemplated the possibility of Nadal ending his career after winning his 22nd Grand Slam title at the French Open.

"But yes, I was worried that Rafa might leave and, in fact, I thought he could do so after beating Medvedev [in the 2022 Australian Open final]; I thought maybe he would do it there or at Roland Garros [that same year]. I thought maybe he would do it like this: Boom! [accompanies with his hands]," he said in the same interview.

Federer emphasized that while he would've been happy for Nadal in such a scenario, it would have come as a big "shock" for him. The 20-time Grand Slam champion also highlighted their "unique connection" and emphasized the impact of losing a rival like Nadal, drawing a parallel to the Spaniard's emotional reaction to his farewell.

"I would have been incredibly happy for him, but at the same time it would have been a shock for me; just as you could probably see how much my retirement meant to him. Definitely, I think that at our level of competition there is a unique connection and that we know what the other person can feel, how much it means to lose your rival," Federer said.