Rafael Nadal further extended his lead in a storied rivalry with Roger Federer, defeating him in straight sets in the Australian Open on Friday. With thirty-three games now played between them, we take a look back at one of sport’s greatest rivalries.
 |
| Rafael Nadal progressed to the final after defeating Federer in straight sets. COURTESY: WallStreetJournal (WSJ.com) |
Rafael Nadal comfortably beat Roger Federer 7 – 6, 6 – 3, 6 – 3 to progress to the Australian Open final extending his lead in the decade-long rivalry to 23 – 10.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s storied rivalry all began in Miami, Florida, at the Miami masters in March 2004. The Spaniard would win the first encounter with a shock straight-set win at just seventeen years of age in 2005.
In their first match pitted against each other on clay, and their first Grand Slam encounter, Rafael Nadal would see-off Roger Federer in the French Open semifinals before progressing to win the tournament.
The rivalry really rocketed off in 2006, with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer engaging six times throughout the year, including two Grand Slam Finals (Wimbledon and the French Open). Roger Federer would get the win on grass, with Rafael Nadal winning prior to that.
 |
| Mutual Respect: Federer, Nadal have spoken many-a-time of one another’s qualities. |
Roger Federer was victorious in the majority of their five matches in 2007. “The Swiss Maestro” put an end to Nadal’s 81-match win streak on clay. Rafael Nadal went on to seek vengeance emphatically, winning his third French Open title in a four-set battle. In the Summer, Roger Federer triumphed in a five-set epic Wimbledon Final.
With that, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had already emerged as the key figures in the sport – but that wasn’t even half the story.
With four-out-of-four wins against Federer in 2008, Rafael Nadal extended the total record between the two to a 12 – 6 lead. The “King of Clay” Nadal won his fourth French Open title, and in one of their most anticipated rematches, with rain delays, becoming the longest Wimbledon Final in history, Nadal would come out on top in a five-set thriller with darkness emerging over London.
In 2009 and 2010, Federer and Nadal split the four total matches with two wins each. In the Australian Open Final, Rafael Nadal put an end to King Roger’s hard-court dominance prevailing in an incredible five-set match.
In 2011, after three matches in minor tournaments along with a lone doubles match, Nadal and Federer engaged in their first Grand Slam meeting since 2009. Yet again, each other pushed one another to the limit, but Rafael Nadal would once again be the victor.
In their two matches in 2012, Rafael Nadal improved on hard-court beating Federer within four sets, but the Swiss Maestro rebounded with a win in the Indian Wells Masters.
Their four encounters last year in minor tournaments saw Nadal completing the accolade of defeating Federer on every surface.
In their most previous encounter, Rafael Nadal proved once again the better man in a comfortable straight sets.
Records & Stats Breakdown
All-Time Record: Rafael Nadal 23 – 10 Roger Federer
All Finals Record: Rafael Nadal 14 – 6 Roger Federer
Grand-Slam Record: Rafael Nadal 9 – 2 Roger Federer
Hard-Court Surface Record: Rafael Nadal 9 – 6 Roger Federer
Australian Open Record: Rafael Nadal 3 – 0
Comment: One Decade of Two Greats Sharing a Court
It’s clear that throughout their decade-long rivalry, that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are two of the greatest tennis players to ever brace the court. What is significant is that the bulk of Rafael Nadal’s lead taking over their rivalry came in two separate years of which he beat Roger Federer on two occasions.
According to Roger Federer, his best tennis is still ahead of him, so this rivalry may not be put to rest, just yet.
Rafael Nadal has comfortably extended his lead to 23 – 10 in their all-time games, looking at some of his best.
If we have more games between the two, which is expected, we could be in store for me edge-on-your seat back-and-forth tennis.
Connect With Us!
/**/
TheSportMatrix.com 