For Roger Federer, the French open was the only main title he missed. This changed in 2009, defeating the Swedish Robin Soderling in direct sets in the final to claim his first – and only – Roland Garros Crown.
Rafael Nadal dominated Major by a clay court before Federer’s breakthrough and won it four times since his debut in 2005.
It is irony that Federer may not have lifted the trophy, not if the tournament was previously upset. Nadal, who was generally expected to reach the final, was defeated in the fourth round by soderling-he did not see Federer’s journey to avoid collision with his longtime opponent.
On Sunday, the French Open paid emotional honor to Nadal, who left professional tennis last November. Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray were Present in Roland Garros in honor of an incredible Heritage Nadalwhich includes a record 14 French Open titles – most of the player in one Grand Slam.
“Pressure was huge”
Federer, who considered his triumph in 2009, admitted that he was relieved that he had not met Nadal, who still holds a record for the most Grand slam titles with one Major.
“That meant a lot to me, because it was the last Grand Slam, which I still missed. I won everyone else in 2004, so I had to wait a good five, six years, maybe winning the French Open.
“The pressure was huge (the year I won) because I knew,” Okay, maybe I don’t have to go through the rafa “. This is how tennis sometimes works.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer faced themselves for the ATP Masters 1000 ATP in Miami. During their legendary rivalry they played 40 matches, leading Nadal head to his head 24-16.
Their last meeting of the singles was in the Wimbledon semifinals in 2019, where Federer won four sets. Both of them also joined the doubles Federer’s farewell match on Laver Cup 2022.
Published:
Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Published on:
26. May 2025
