Rafael Nadal teases stunning return as he reveals Roger Federer talks underway | Tennis | Sport

Rafael Nadal has revealed that he will return to the tennis court to take on Roger Federer. But the 39-year-old hinted that the showdown won’t take place any time soon.

Nadal and Federer enjoyed one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history as they met in nine Grand Slam finals. The Spaniard won six of those as he ended his career with 22 Grand Slam titles. Federer, meanwhile, defeated his rival in two Wimbledon finals and the showpiece match at the 2017 Australian Open as he claimed 20 Majors before bringing his career to an end.

Nadal was in Madrid to receive an award on Monday evening. And he teased a reunion with Federer as he explained: “If Roger and I decide to start an exhibition tour, I will need time to prepare.

“I have been out of the court for a year, and I need some time to prepare. Something will happen in the future, and we have already spoken about it briefly.”

Nadal’s final match in tennis came at the Davis Cup in November 2024 as Spain went head-to-head with the Netherlands in Malaga.

The 30-time Grand Slam finalist was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp as the Netherlands went on to reach the semi-finals, where they overcame Germany.

And after his final appearance, Nadal told the crowd: “It has been 20 years of a professional career in which you have carried me through the good times, and in the bad you pushed me to keep playing.

“I want to congratulate the Netherlands and thank the whole Spanish team that is here, who have let me play the Davis Cup again, which has not gone as we all wanted. I have given everything I had.

“The truth is that you never want to get to this point. I’m not tired of playing tennis but my body doesn’t want to play anymore and you have to accept that. I feel super privileged, I’ve been able to make my hobby my profession for a long time.”

He later explained: “I’d like to be remembered as a kid that achieved more than I ever dreamed. I have been very lucky in the life I have had the opportunity to live, I have lived unforgettable experiences because of tennis.

“I was just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today. The way I’d like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca.”