Thanasi Kokkinakis and Denis Shapovalov recalled their matches against Roger Federer, during UTS in Frankfurt.
Kokkinakis, who managed to beat the Swiss at theMiami2018, said how no one makes you feel more helpless than him.
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"I've never seen him sweat. He also had the biggest calves on the Tour, if he had shaved his legs, the game would be over. It looks like he's not even trying. He's making fun of you. At least Rafa screams when he plays, you can feel like he's being dominated at a certain point; Nole slips, but Federer looks like he's making fun of you while playing," he analyzed.
The Canadian tennis player revealed how the Swiss Maestro could annihilate his opponents, making him feel like a junior player, literally.
"I faced him in the semifinals in Miami and he had just beaten good players, like Tiafoe or Rublev, and I felt like a kid on the court. It was incredible," explained Shapovalov.
It's been more than two years since the Swiss legend retired in 2022, saying goodbye to the Tour with a final emotional appearance alongside rival and friend Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup. In more than 20 years of dominance on the Tour, many tennis players have had the opportunity to face the 20-time Grand Slam champion, some of whom are still active and who grew up admiring the exploits of the Swiss Maestro.
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After two years, the memory of Roger is still well imprinted in the minds of his opponents. A further testament to the greatness of the Swiss legend.
Meanwhile, a few days ago Federer moved all tennis fans by writing a beautiful letter to Rafael Nadal, when the Spaniard retired from tennis at the Davis Cup Finals.
Below the letter:
"Hi, Rafa! As you prepare to end your tennis career, I have something to say before I get all emotional. You have beaten me so many times. More times than I have ever beaten you. You have faced me in ways that no one else has ever been able to. On clay, I felt like I was walking into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me rethink my game, even changing the size of my racket, hoping for some advantage.
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I keep thinking about the memories we shared. Promoting tennis together. That match on half grass, half clay. Breaking the crowd record in Cape Town. Wearing each other out on the court and then sometimes quite literally having to support each other at the awards ceremonies. I am still grateful for inviting me to Mallorca in 2016 for the opening of your academy. I actually invited myself a bit: you are too polite to insist on my being there, but I absolutely did not want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids all over the world, and Mirka and I are happy that our children were able to train at your academies. They had so much fun and learned so much, even though I always feared they would go home playing tennis with their left hands.
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And then there was London, the 2022 Laver Cup. My last match. It was so important to me that you were there by my side, not as my rival, but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night and sharing those tears will remain one of the most special moments of my career.
I'm not a very superstitious person, but you are on another level here. All the preparation, the rituals. Arranging the bottles like soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, fixing your underwear. All with maximum intensity. Secretly, I have to say I loved all of it. Because it was so unique, because it was you. And you know what, Rafa, you made me appreciate the game even more. OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I reached the number 1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And at that time I was, at least until two months later, when you first stepped out onto the court in Miami in your red vest, showing off those biceps and you beat me soundly. All those rumors I had heard about you, this incredible young player from Mallorca, a generational talent probably destined to win a Slam one day, were not just gossip.
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Rafa, I can tell you: what an incredible career you have had. 14 Roland Garros, incredible! You have made Spain proud, you have made the entire tennis world proud. I keep thinking about the memories we have shared. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and your team, who have played a huge part in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always rooting for you, and will continue to root for everything you do in the future!"
