Roger Federer has been blessed with a relatively injury-free career since making his professional debut in 1998, especially when compared to Rafael Nadal’s struggles with fitness.
The longevity of both has earned them an abundance of fans around the world, who loved seeing the two help Team Europe to victory at the Laver Cup earlier this year.
However, a disagreement between the them in 2012 threatened to ruin the good rapport between the duo, which started over a move by a group of players that wanted sweeping changes on the tour, including how prize money was distributed at the Australian Open.
When Federer failed to support the cause, his Spanish counterpart verbally lashed out.
“For him, it’s good to say nothing,” Nadal said in 2012.
“[His attitude is] ‘Everything is positive. It’s all well and good for me, I look like a gentleman, and the rest can burn themselves.’
“He likes the circuit. I like the circuit. It’s better than many other sports, but that doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be better.”
Nadal later went on to rant about his busy playing schedule, and explained why Federer may have had a natural advantage over himself, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.
“I love the game and there are a lot of things I’m grateful for,” he added.
“The game has allowed me to lead a fantastic lifestyle.
“But to finish your career with pain all over your body, is that a positive?
“No. Maybe [Federer] has got a super body and he’ll finish his career like a rose. Neither myself, nor Murray, nor Djokovic are going to finish our careers like a rose.
“Tennis is an important part of my life, but it’s a tough sport.
“We’re not like him [Federer] where it’s effortless to play. For all of us, it’s a battle.”
Fast forward to 2019 and the relationship between the world famous duo is far more amicable, although Federer was not in attendance at Nadal’s wedding earlier this month.
The year 2020 is set to see the pair go head-to-head once again with only one Grand Slam title separating the pair for the first time since 2004.
