Federer Tells Friend and Rival Nadal That He Made Him Enjoy Tennis More

An emotional Roger Federer of Team Europe is consoled by his playing partner Rafael Nadal after their Laver Cup doubles match against Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the O2 arena in London on Sept. 23, 2022. Kin Cheung/AP Photo

MALAGA, Spain—Roger Federer says Rafael Nadal made him enjoy tennis “even more” during a rivalry that spanned 40 matches over 15 years.

Writing on social media Tuesday, hours before the start of the Davis Cup Final 8, Nadal’s last event before heading into retirement, Federer began his message with the word “Vamos” and said: “As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.”