The two legends of the game have met each other 40 times in their career. They have played numerous epic matches in the past 15 years and it is difficult to pick some matches that stand out the most in their rivalry.
Out of the 40 matches they played, 24 involved a trophy. Rafael Nadal leads their head-to-head 24-16. Nadal also leads 14–10 in finals. Of these matches, 14 have been in Grand Slams. Rafael Nadal again leads their head-to-head in grand slams 10–4. The two brings up a whole build-up and drama prior to this match. However, which of their battles stands out? It's difficult to pick but here are the top 5 matches between one of the sport's all-time greatest rivalries.
1. Wimbledon Championships Finals 2008
Wimbledon Championships Finals 2008
Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 in the match which is regarded as the greatest tennis match in the history of the sport. The Swiss was bidding for his 13th major title and his sixth consecutive Wimbledon Championships title. On the other hand, Rafael Nadal was eyeing for a big milestone as he was attempting to become the first man to win the French Open-Wimbledon double since Bjorn Borg in 1980. He was also aiming for his maiden Wimbledon Championships title.
The match promised to be one of the most exciting ones and the two players didn't fail to deliver for their fans. Rafael Nadal took control over the match after taking the first two sets and silencing the crowd on the Centre Court.
However, Roger Federer fought back, taking the third set after a rain delay. He then saved three championship points in the fourth and fifth set. The Spaniard, however, serving for his first title at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at 8-7 in the final set, sealed the victory after 4 hours and 48 minutes in near darkness.
2. Australian Open 2017 Finals
Australian Open 2017 Finals
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal last met at the Swiss Indoors in 2015 before the Australian Open 2017. The tennis world believed that they will probably not witness Federer and Nadal meeting in a grand slam final. They last met in a grand slam final in French Open 2014.
Roger Federer was playing his first tournament in Melbourne in six months due to a lingering knee injury. However, he surprised everyone including himself by reaching the finals. There was hardly any difference between the two in the high-voltage match.
Roger Federer started out confidently however, the Spaniard had answered in the next set. The two players had highs and lows throughout the match. Nadal was a break up in the final set but Federer changed gears as he played super aggressively to break twice and win the match as he claimed the 18th grand slam title of his career. The Swiss at the age of 35 became the oldest Grand Slam champion since Ken Rosewall, who won three major titles in 1970 and ’71.
3. Australian Open 2009 Finals
Australian Open 2009 Finals
The two players were competing for milestones of their own as both the legends were aiming to make history in Melbourne. The Swiss was aiming to equal the then all-time record of 14 grand slam by Pete Sampras. On the other hand, Rafael Nadal was bidding to become the youngest career-grand slam holder.
Nadal earned a lead of two sets to one and had a chance to break in fourth but Federer denied him the breakpoints. The Swiss levelled back the match to two all. Federer had the momentum with him but Rafa changed the gears to run through the deciding set to win his maiden title at the Rod Laver Arena. Nadal was the first man since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to win a Grand Slam championship title with five-set victories in the semi-finals and final.
4. Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome Masters 2006 Finals
Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome Masters 2006 Finals
Rafael Nadal successfully defended his title at the Rome Masters after defeating Federer 6–7(0–7), 7–6(7–5), 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–5) in Miami Masters final in over five hours.
Federer started off well after closing the first set with a perfect tiebreaker. Nadal fought back hard to edge past the then world no. 1 to level back the match at 1-1. The Spaniard took the momentum in the third as he won the set. He also had chances to break early in the fourth but couldn't capitalise onto it as the Swiss won a comfortable set 6-2. The Spaniard took hold of the final set tiebreaker as he won his sixth match against the Swiss.
The victory took the Spaniard to 53 straight wins on the clay, equalling Guillermo Vilas' record. The 19-year-old Nadal also equalled Bjorn Borg on 16 titles as a teenager.
5. Miami Masters 2005 Finals
Miami Masters 2005 Finals
This was the beginning of the greatest rivalry of the sport between the two legends. The teenage Spaniard gave Roger Federer a run for the match and made it clear that he is the next big thing in the tennis world. In their first match at Miami 2004, Nadal dismissed Federer 6-3, 6-3 to announce his arrival to the sport.
However, a year later Roger Federer avenged his defeat against Rafael Nadal to conquer the Miami Masters 2005 title in a thrilling five-setter 2-6 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1. Nadal was running down every ball that Federer hit as he conquered the first two sets to control the match.
However, Federer didn't allow him to dominate from the next set as he came back from two sets down to win a thriller five-setter and completed the Indian Wells-Miami "Sunshine Double" for the first time in his career.
