Two tennis superstars and longtime on-court rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer engage ina conversation during last year's Laver Cup. (Getty Images)
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played many epic matches against each other and will go down in history as two of the greatest tennis players of all time – here is the King Of Clay’s win percentage before and after Federer’s retirement
The Swiss veteran announced his retirement from the game in 2022 ahead of the Laver Cup. Federer teamed with long-time rival and friend Rafael Nadal in his final professional match and faced the team of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the Laver Cup. The experienced campaigners rolled back the years with their skills but eventually, the American duo got the win.
After the match, both Federer and Nadal were in tears. They shared the stage for close to two decades and the retirement of one of them was an immensely emotional moment.
Coincidentally, after Federer’s retirement, Nadal has struggled with form and good results have eluded him. After the retirement of the 41-year-old Federer, Rafael Nadal has a win percentage of just 16.67. Prior to Federer’s retirement, the win percentage was at a staggering 83.48.
If we take a look at Nadal’s performances in 2022, before and after Federer’s retirement, the inference is shocking. The southpaw won four titles, including two Grand Slams prior to the Laver Cup. However, following the Laver Cup, Nadal managed to win just 1 out of 4 matches in the last season in 2022.
The former world No. 1 had a great start to 2022, as he went on to win three consecutive tournaments. The start to 2023 has been quite disappointing though.
Rafael Nadal is currently participating in the inaugural United Cup. He began the new season with a defeat against Cameron Norrie.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion would have hoped to get back to winning ways against Alex de Minaur in his second match at the United Cup. However, that wasn’t to be as the Australian youngster came from behind to register a huge win.
These aren’t good signs for the legendary player as he prepares to defend his title at the 2023 Australian Open which begins on January 16.
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