Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal teamed up for an sudden Louis Vutton marketing campaign and it got here in fashion as the 2 tennis legends met in a snowy mountain to shoot collectively.
For a few years, Federer and Nadal had not solely top-of-the-line rivalries in tennis, however in all sports activities. However as a consequence of Federer’s accidents and years-long battle with knee points, their final assembly on the courtroom got here at 2019 Wimbledon – which was their fortieth assembly on the time.
Since then, Federer and Nadal have not met a lot aside from when the Spaniard got here to the 2022 Laver Cup for his particular position within the Swiss’ retirement. And now with Nadal additionally set to quickly retire, the 2 staff met once more however this time in a non-tennis setting.
Early within the shoot that was going down within the Dolomites, Nadal funnily said he wasn’t used to the snow as Federer was. The Swiss tennis icon hilariously responded by saying: “First time he sees snow.”
Federer & Nadal reunited in a Louis Vuitton marketing campaign
Roger: “I believe being right here, doing the picture shoot collectively may be very significant for us & very particular.”
Rafa: “I am not as used to the snow as Roger is”
Roger: “First time he sees snow” 😂
Rafa: “He lives within the snow.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/f4sQi5I1dH
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) Could 18, 2024
Nadal teases Federer he was conceited after they first met
Federer, 42, and 37-year-old Nadal performed in opposition to one another for the primary time on the 2004 Miami Open. On the time, Federer was extensively thought to be top-of-the-line gamers on the earth whereas Nadal was only a promising teenager. And what turned out to be one of many best rivalries in tennis, began with Nadal upsetting Federer 6-3 6-3.
Within the Dolomites, Nadal and Federer have been requested to recount their first assembly. Whereas Nadal and Federer performed for the primary time in opposition to one another in 2004, the 2 probably crossed paths earlier than.
“I do keep in mind. Most likely not him,” Nadal answered.
Whereas Nadal nonetheless remembered properly how and when he met Federer for the primary time, the Swiss did not actually.
“I don’t. Was I good to you?” Federer requested Nadal.
Nadal responded: “You have been somewhat bit conceited.”
Each Nadal and Federer then burst into laughter earlier than the Spaniard mentioned that he was “tremendous shy” to speak to the Swiss tennis icon however remembers him being “tremendous good.”
Rafa Nadal & Roger Federer in a brand new marketing campaign for Louis Vuitton
“Do you keep in mind the primary time you met one another?”
Rafa: “I do keep in mind. Most likely not him.”
Roger: “I don’t. Was I good to you?”
Rafa: “You have been somewhat bit conceited” 😂
The Fedal reunion all of us wanted. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/jdQvpXV5Px
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) Could 18, 2024
Federer and Nadal on how they need to be remembered
After present process a knee surgical procedure in 2020 February, Federer ended up having two extra knee surgical procedures earlier than formally placing an finish to his astonishing profession in 2022 September. For followers and the tennis group, it wasn’t straightforward to see Federer exit that approach as many felt the previous 20-time Grand Slam champion deserved to exit in a significantly better approach.
For Federer’s farewell, a few of his largest rivals – Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – confirmed up and confirmed huge respect and appreciation for the Swiss. After Federer introduced his retirement, tributes additionally got here pouring in from athletes from varied different sports activities – that confirmed how revered the previous world No. 1 was.
Now, Federer insists he prefers to be remembered for his character and affect slightly than his huge tennis success.
“I hope if I am remembered not solely as a tennis participant, however as an individual behind what I gave to the sport and what I represented to the sport, and it was much less about all my Wimbledon victories or no matter it was, that may imply loads to me,” Federer mentioned.
“If I could be remembered extra because the character slightly than only a participant, that may be nice. And if I used to be a great position mannequin for youths, that may make me blissful too… And it will be good, like Rafa mentioned, if the persons are blissful to see us once more. Not like ‘oh no, that man once more.”
Nadal, who’s a 22-time Grand Slam champion and sure taking part in the final months of his profession, repeated the same message as he would additionally prefer to be remembered as a great individual slightly than simply somebody who was top-of-the-line tennis gamers.
“On the finish what is going to make me really feel proud and blissful is once I go away this world, if the match administrators, the individuals who work on the tournaments, employees, ATP, say good issues about who I used to be on the tour, or who I’m as an individual greater than a tennis participant,” Nadal mentioned.
“As a result of as a tennis participant, on the finish, we’ve got the titles, we’ve got the achievements and that is how it’s. I achieved greater than what I ever dreamed of. So for me on the finish, the legacy when it comes to a human being, after attaining all of the issues that we achieved, for me is crucial factor.”
Rafa Nadal & Roger Federer have been requested how they need to be remembered in a brand new marketing campaign for Louis Vuitton
Rafa: “On the finish what is going to make me really feel proud and blissful is once I go away this world, if the match administrators, the individuals who work on the tournaments, employees, ATP, say good… pic.twitter.com/LJi9t8VbEm
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) Could 18, 2024
In every week, Nadal will kick off what is going to probably be his final French Open marketing campaign.