What struck me with this ceremony was the kindness and thoughtfulness of Rafa. He was almost afraid to show too much happiness and enjoy his champion moment in deferrence to Roger's misery. What a great classy guy!
Rafa-Nole at its height was the most intensely competitive rivalry ever. Rafa-Roger was less competitive, but people liked watching the contrasting styles.
I think the reason why people like Federer vs Nadal although it's less competetive than Nadal vs Djokovic is because it had everything, it was a clash of two styles of tennis, the easy floweless game of Federer and the intense (coupled with the never give up attitude) game of Nadal's. If you watch Nadal vs Federer in Wimbledon 2008, The Australian 2009 you'll see how big is the range of shots that could be hit during their matches compared to Federer vs Djokovic for example or Nadal vs Djokovic, where the range of possible shots is smaller. Their matches were also more dramatic because at the time there was no Djokovic. It was only Nadal vs Federer, when Djokovic began playing his best tennis in 2011 we already had our fair share of great claches between Nadal and Federer, and the next matches had to be compared to Wimbledon 2008 (possibly the greatest match of all time) and other matches that are nearly impossible to come close to.
Nadal doesn't deserve any hate. He was always a great sportsman. Fed however... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iwdBUfFCMUo.html I've got more examples.
You know what really makes it so special? The fact that right when Nadal hugged him Roger suddenly smiled and seemed to gain tons of confidence. These guys are the best!
Yeah I agree. And since I come back to this video every so often in my life, I’ve started to pick up on some things - honestly, with this being 2009, I believe this is the exact moment when they became *close* friends.
as I major Federer fan, I actually like coming back to this moment from time to time. it portrays the huge respect from Nadal to Roger, I like how highly he speaks of him. also comforts him when he sees the guy is about to cry. those are the moments that define you as a man and as an athlete.
komputerLuek Perfectly said. I'm one of the millions desperately hoping Rafa wins his AO semi so we can see him and Fed in the final. As much as I want Fed to get one more slam, Nadal is the one guy I wouldn't mind seeing Fed lose to.
komputerLuek completely agree! n no matter how many grand slams they hold, it's this humbleness, down to earth n sportsmanship qualities that truly make both of them two of the greatest athletes of all time! they have earned the people's love n respect which are more valuable n special than winning any grand slam..
“You will improve the 14 grand slams of Sampras” It is funny to think that at the time neither one of them had any clue that they were both going to shatter that record
Rafa shows his pure class here. I remember this so well. It was quite embarrassing to see Roger lose his cool on a world stage. Of course, many athletes are exhausted and emotional, but the way Rafa deferred to Roger was something unforgettable. Rafael Nadal is a true champion in every sense of the word.
esquibelle I am glad you recognize that. Sadly, some (if not many) act as though they hate Nadal, despite the fact that he have proven he is one of the most humble and respectable sportsman, ever. I was very, very impressed by the level of maturity Nadal demonstrated during this award ceremony (especially at his young age of 23). Young players like Kyrgios should watch this and take notice.
After 6 years I keep coming back to this video... I'm a huge Nadal fan, but this scene is truly emotional on the Federer side. You can see these two have such sportmanship and besides of the rivarly, they are good friends. So we all fans should be like them and not fight over who's better. Glad to say I lived my teenage years, where I had not much responsibilities waking up in the middle of the night to catch their games live, to see these two legends play at their best!
stephdwm Totally agree. I'm a huge Federer fan. I really don't in a way understand always having to be just for one or the other. I've always had a lot of respect for Rafa and his game too. Two great legends of the game who respect each other a lot yet want to beat the other and be the best.. like Bird vs Magic too true friends and rivals in equal parts
Roger cared so much; He wanted that match so badly and knew he almost had it too. Rafa was very respectful and courteous. Both are incredible champions.
I wouldn't say "crushed" but he certainly was the better player in the final moments. Roger ran out of steam, you might remember that Roger started grunting each shot towards the end, he is normally quiet, but he was so exhausted he was making gut-wrenching sounds which to me sounded like he'd reached his limit and knew he was finished. Great match.
To all Fed fans who hate Rafa for whatever stupid reason, remember that moment when he consoles Fed when he didn't have to...what class...Legends among us.
Rafa lost the finals to Wawrinka in which he was heavily favored, couldn't compete because of an injury, played until the end, lost, and gave a great post game speech without crying and stealing the spotlight...unlike Fed...check the facts. And Rafa was going for his own history to becoming only man to win all GS twice in the open era...
Roger cries and he can't speak to the spectators. Rafa hugs him, he whispers something to his ear, and then Roger comes to the mic smiling! Rog and Rafa, the best ever!
They met 4 times in 2008, all final matches including french open and epic wimbledon 2008 final. Fed lost all of it. I could see how much he wanted that trophy back then.
Yes I remember critics after the Australian Open final in 2009 saying that Nadal is possibly the first man that could win the entire four slams in one year in teh open era, It was that big, at that point Nadal had figured out (at the time ) how to beat the best player in the last 6 years and his greast possible rival in Federer. He had won majors on every surface in less than one year and did great overall before the clay season arrived, and then swooped the usual masters on clay with a final loss to Federer in Madrid. At this point Nadal had been a firm favourite to win Roland Garros which is his long time best Grand Slam and Wimbledon ( which he had won the year before), he was only getting better and better on hardcourts since he had already won the Ausstralian open and the Olympics just months before it on Hardcourts, so a US Open title wasn't out of his reach. I still think of that loss to Soderling, and how much Nadal's career have changed had he won that match, had Soderling played some bad shots and not decide to go on one of the best demonstrations of big hitting attacking tennis in the history, had Nadal felt and played some incredible clay court tennis, as he so often did in those kinds of situations, and got back on top instead of being unsually fatigued and clueless to what Soderling is throwing at him. The loss to Soderling in the 2009 French Open remains the biggest upset in tennis history for me, and one of the biggest turns of events in the game as well.
quest 123 well sorry but Roddick was exactly the kind of player meant to be destroyed by Federer. That's what happened really... I say that out of respect for Roddick. Sometimes I feeling sorry for him. He was to be the heir to Sampras but these two guys came along...
he could cry for an hour and the crowd would clap and cheer for an hour. that's how beloved this man is. him crying here, makes him even more humble. what a great and modest human being he is right down to his sportsmanship and respect to tennis and other players in general. he deserved this ovation and then some.
Svemirski Modulator I disagree. I think he is one of the most humble, skilled and passionate tennis players of all time and a great human being, and far from egocentric. The fact that he cried because he lost shows his blatant passion for the sport, and competition. At the end of the day, he's only human, a human who has made a lot of people around the world happy with his tennis playing. What have you done?
+ISetYourFaceOnFire What is humble in crying like little child when parents denied him a toy in a toy-store? I like Fed, but please, you guys are obsessed. Look at Rafa, he is humble. Fed is good player but more arrogant than humble. Go Nole!
The fact that he cried shows just how much it means to him, even having won so much he stil is upset about losing this match. The only reason Federer became who he was, besides his outrageous ability, was his hunger for the game, and the desire to win. Obviously he is going to be upset, and the fact that Nadal outclassed him as opposed to him having a bad day, and the events of the recent year with Nadal dethroning him all came together to this moment I guess. He is and will always be a great champion. The rivalry I grew up watching, which got me into the amazing sport that is tennis, Nadal vs Federer, we should all admire. Stop hating guys, on either player. They are both legends. Peace.
I think this was around the time when Federer's time as the ultimate unstoppable force was coming to an end and he could feel it. He wasn't just crying because he lost this match, he was crying because his reign at the top was closing for the first time. I love Roger Federer. He is, in my opinion, the best sportsman to ever bless the professional scene. He is passionate, determined and a gentleman. Nadal handled this very well as he was fully aware of what this loss meant to Federer.
Rafa’s injuries cost him from having so many more victories, majors and weeks number one, but still now he is so damn great. He’s arguably the best, to me he is.
It’s not his fault that his foot is like that ... he was born with it. In order to play, he has to wear special made shoes, which affects his knees. I just wish to see how his career would be if he didn’t have that disease.
Gotta' give props to Rafa for how he handled this situation, that would be awkward as hell but he did absolutely the right thing in not only his kind speech but also the way he walked over and comforted Federer. It was pretty beautiful to see. As for all the people hating on Roger for crying, that's your prerogative, but in my opinion it's always silly to think that you know exactly what's going on in someone's head and can therefore adequately judge their actions through a television or computer screen.
This is how true champions should always behave - to support each other. I`m proud of Nadal, and I empathise with Federer. Nadal was rather sad for his friend than glad to win that trophy. You can see it on his face!
he cries when he loses and when he wins because tennis means everything for him. he wins 60M per year and still plays to be the best and to win. he does it because he loves this , this scene represents how much this is important for him
when rafa went to hug roger still gives me a goosbumps its was one of the most magique moment in sport history those two are legends period thank you rafa and roger
I never followed tennis until Federer won his first GS in 2003. I became a huge fan not only bc of his enthralling game, grace under pressure and PERFECT HAIR, but also for how unafraid he was to cry in front of the world. I was 15, and it was just so powerful to me to see a powerful man cry in victory and loss. Back then, there was no appreciation for showing you’re human. My peers have said mean things about him. People had made fun of me for rooting for a man who’s a “crybaby.” Today, I’m so proud and grateful that Federer continued to win, changed the game and stayed true to who he was in the face of haters, and of myself that I’ve never changed my mind about him. What a man! And I’m so happy his rival was Nadal, who happened to just have the sweetest heart.
The level of respect between these two is just amazing. "You will improve the 14 of Sampras, I'm sure." And now Nadal has almost done it as well! How lucky we are too see them playing.
Wesley Parish What an amazing final and an amazing rivalry. I remember being so gutted for Roger at this point and wondered if he would recover from it especially after losing at Wimbledon too. So glad he won on Sunday and continues to prove everyone wrong. Truly a legend!
Wesley Parish me too! i was choked watching Fed cry after losing this match in 2009.. n after Sunday's win it gives me so relief n happiness that he got back what he truly deserved.. like the trophy belonged to him!
yes! I'm so grateful we got to see this rivalry, even if it was the last, and see Roger win a final. Because the time is drawing near when we will no longer hear him say, "See you next year."
I really don't agree with the people saying Roger ruined the moment for Rafa and I'm a Rafa fan, have been for years. Apparently his emotions got the better of him and he couldn't hold it in, otherwise he would have. Roger and Rafa are the two players I respect and enjoy watching the most. Rafa has all the respect for Roger, always telling people that he's not the best because Roger has more titles. Being number one is only temperary and everyone knows that. Maybe Roger realised at this very moment that he had lost, yet again, to Rafa and that it was going to be difficult from now on because he wasn't getting any younger. Who knows but Roger? Point is, Rafa didn't mind this much. If he didn't complain, why should we?!
I think he would have kept a check on his emotions if it hadn't been for the person shouting "i love you Federer" just before he started. Don't think he could handle it, but the moment where the two hug is great. Not many people seem to understand emotions great athletes/champions like Rafa and Roger go through because they've never experienced it themselves.
Back after witnessing Rafa's unreal comeback to finally win his 2nd AO in 2022 and finally also the DCGS! Crazy to think that 13 years has elapsed since this moment and it has been 8 years since I started supporting Rafa after watching him struggle in that heartbreak of an injury in the 2014 AO finals.
11 years later and I get to witness the 3 greatest tennis players in history, as a Spanish person I'll of course support Nadal, but HUGE respect to Federer and Djokovic!!
Why are you saying that Federer is a baby because he's crying? Crying is natural and there's nothing wrong with it. Everybody cries!!! P.S: Don't even tell me you never cried!
+Alexander Wilson He didn't have it yet... thats why he was crying because he wanted so bad and he need 1 more to break Sampras record in that time and become number in history of tennis... he wasn't playing good in that year. Nadal was winning everything and getting closer too, Federer didn't even get into the finals matches anymore (in that year) so maybe he though it was his last chance. It's understandable...
I'm a fed fan I love roger, but Arfa is so kind and warm hearted. He cares about his colleagues even though he just won a grand slam. That's why he didnt celebrate. Before, I used to hate on nadal so kuch and think he was heartless and ride, but he actually isn't. I went to see him in the world tour finals and he is a kind man. Probably me second favourite player in the world
It's possible that the top three players of all time are in the same generation...1. Fed 2. Nadal 3. Novak...fucking incredible. But I will say, 2005-2009 were the greatest years for me.
8 years had to pass. How many of us stopped believing that moments like this will repeat ever again and with a sweeter turn. Thank you for continuing proving us wrong. Congratulations Roger for your 18th Grand Slam title and Rafa for continuing pushing the boundaries of what is humanly possible.
He really and truly loves his career. He enjoys every single minute of his being in the court. A true athlete, true winner, true legend, true epitome , role model,... I will always remember him as the best.
I pretty much watched every big face off of nadal and federer back in the day, those games where some of the best times i ever spend in front of a tv set, the only disturbing thing about those matches was the favoritism in the crowd , they would always cheer more about roger than rafael , i mean the first thing nadal says is how sorry he is ? like for real...
His hands and wrists are just incredible. These guys all hit millions of tennis balls in their lifetimes, producing all kinds of shots, but I truly believe some of these shots Roger could make, NOBODY in the history of the game could make. If you play or played tennis, you know how unbelievably difficult some of those half volleys are that he hit, and to have the strength of wrist to get the ball up in the air, and then the touch to direct them in so many different areas of the court when hitting them, is unbelievable. Such a great champion, and so elegant on that tennis court. To me, Roger and John McEnroe were the two most beautiful tennis players Ive ever seen in my life.
after reading the comments here, I really don't understand why some of you think that that Roger has a bad sportmanship or disrespectful.. I guess those people have never ever played a tournament final or have any idea how it feels when you lose it...not to mention it is a grandslam we are talking about here.. those people really don't know how disappointed you are when you lost a tournament..when you so wanna win it, worked so hard for it.. I don't play tennis but I play badminton.. i still remember how heartbreaking, disappointed, and emotional i was when i lost a tournament final.. so people who doesn't know how Roger feels, please.. go play something and spend time on it...then try to play a tournament..not just causally participate in it but take the tournament seriously..... you will know how it feels if you lose it....
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I couldn't watch the match because in my country we didn't have access to good internet or satellite tv easily, so I listened to the match commentary on radio with so much effort after many hours of trying and just was able to listen starting from the start of the fifth set. And I cried just listening to all of this. And that feeling never gets old.
What an historic moment. This was another handing down of the gauntlet, as they say. Such a great video to relive when having an emotional day and to feel proud to be a person, humans rock!
I've never cried so much watching a video on youtube... I love Nadal's reaction by the way... this is absolutely heart-breaking... hope he doesn't retire too soon.. The best of all
Watching Wimbledon in 2021 brought me back here. There's no legends like these two. Utter class, respect and humanity. They are truly the ambassadors of this sport. My dream to see even one of you play I hope comes true. May your friendship and rivalry long continue but more so your love for one another.
Federer and Nadal have become real good friends. They compete as well as appreciate each other. Good sportsmanship. One with power and one with elegance. Missing you guys. Age is catching up. But it’s hard to see anyone replacing you guys !!
I love the raw emotion that flows from this man. He's the peoples champion because he's so talented, humble and loving to the fans and his opponents. I believe the emotion which flows from him like what we see here makes people love and respect the integrity he has toward his very existence. He's so real and people love that in such a fake and materialistic world. Love you Roger!
King is back. Watching this now is bittersweet. Sorry to give up hope on you against Nadal and you slammed on my face and proved me wrong. Loads of love and support for you, Roger
