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Rafa Nadal reveals message from Roger Federer after French Open

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Roger Federer (pictured left) shares a laugh with Rafa Nadal (pictured right) at the Laver Cup.
Roger Federer (pictured left) congratulated Rafa Nadal (pictured right) for winning his 14th French Open title and 22nd grand slam in Paris. (Getty Images)

Rafa Nadal has revealed rival and friend Roger Federer sent him a congratulatory message after the Spaniard made history with a 22nd grand slam title at the French Open.

Nadal created history to lift his 14th Roland Garros title in Paris at the age of 36, while also extending his lead with the most grand slams overall for men.

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The Spaniard has been lauded the world over after defeating four Top 10 rivals, including Novak Djokovic, on his path to tennis immortality.

And among the high-profile stars to send him a message included none other than Federer.

Federer and Nadal have enjoyed a storied rivalry, which has seen the legends strike up a friendship.

And Nadal revealed Federer, who skipped Roland Garros due to injury, sent him a message of congratulations.

“With Roger we have a good relationship and a special feeling,” Nadal told Sky Sports in Italy.

“After the victory he wrote me a message to congratulate me."

Federer wasn't the only star among tennis royalty to send Nadal a message.

Rafa Nadal (pictured) celebrates his victory with the Musketeers Cup at the French Open.
Rafa Nadal (pictured) celebrates his victory with the Musketeers Cup at the French Open. (Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) (Eurasia Sport Images via Getty Images)

Serena Williams jumped on Twitter with a simple one-word tweet to celebrate his victory: 'Rafa!!!'

Federer's coach, and former tennis star, Ivan Ljubicic was also in awe of Nadal's achievement.

"Not many PLAYED 14 Roland Garros tournaments. He won it 14 times," Ljubicic tweeted.

"There is no word to describe this feat. Don't think good old Philippe would mind if his court changes the name to Rafael Nadal - statue is not enough."

Federer has been off the ATP Tour since his quarter-final exit at Wimbledon last year as he recovers from knee surgery.

Rafa Nadal coy on Wimbledon participation

While Nadal vowed to 'keep fighting' in his post-match victory speech, there are lingering concerns about his immediate future in tennis due to a chronic foot issue.

The 36-year-old revealed he received pain-killing injections throughout the French Open, including before Sunday's final against Ruud.

And while declaring his intentions to play at Wimbledon later this month, Nadal said he wouldn't do so if it meant getting more injections.

Rafael Nadal (pictured) celebrates on Court Philippe Chatrier after winning the French Open title in 2022.
Rafael Nadal (pictured) celebrates after winning the French Open title in 2022. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) (Tim Clayton - Corbis via Getty Images)

"Wimbledon is a priority. If I am able to play with anti-inflammatories, yes [I will play], but with anaesthetic injections, no [I won’t play]," he said in his press conference.

"I don’t want to put myself in that position again. It’s not a philosophy I want to follow.

"Wimbledon is not a tournament I want to miss, it’s not a tournament anyone wants to miss.

"I love Wimbledon. I’ve had a lot of success there. A player like me, I’m always ready to play Wimbledon.”

Nadal is yet to make a call on what grass court tournaments he will participate in during the grass court season.

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