Roger Federer’s proposal to Rafael Nadal to play a new sport together

Tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faced each other in a fierce rivalry. Now, the Swiss has a proposal for the Spaniard in another sport.

© John Phillips/Getty ImagesRoger Federer during the premiere of his documentary “Twelve Final Days”

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal built one of the most enduring rivalries in tennis, their battles defining a golden era of the sport. From Masters 1000 matches and Grand Slam clashes, the two faced off 40 times. Now, The Swiss legend is proposing a different kind of challenge to the Spaniard.

The 43-year-old Swiss, who officially retired in 2022, attended the 2025 Masters last week and shared his recent experience with golf while speaking to ESPN’s John Sutcliffe at Augusta National. When asked if he’d consider playing against Nadal, who is known for his love for golf, Federer smiled. “We should play together,” he said. “I think we’ve played enough against each other.”

His words come amid ongoing speculation about the true nature of his relationship with Nadal. While the Spaniard has spoken highly of their dynamic, he told El Objetivo de La Sexta in February, “I wouldn’t consider him a friend. But someone familiar, with whom I have a great relationship.” He also acknowledged how they shaped each other’s careers: “We have shared most of our careers. We have helped each other.”

Nadal’s golf passion

Nadal has long been vocal about his passion for golf. In his autobiography, he described how the sport helped him mentally prepare for his 2010 U.S. Open victory, writing, “Never had I embarked on a US Open campaign feeling fresher.” He also revealed the only athlete he considers a sporting idol outside tennis is Tiger Woods: “If there is one sportsman that I admire outside the game of tennis, it is Tiger Woods.”

Nadal is an avid golf player (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Over the years, Nadal has competed in several amateur tournaments, including a top-10 finish at the 2020 Balearic Golf Championship, and continues to balance his tennis career with time on the course.

Meanwhile, Federer has admitted that he is still learning the sport. “I took my first golf lessons a year and a half ago, and there I go, progressing little by little,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion told ESPN.

A rivalry that shaped an Era

Federer and Nadal’s rivalry stretched across more than a decade. From July 2005 to August 2009, they were ranked No. 1 and 2 on the ATP Tour. Together, they finished six consecutive calendar years atop the rankings before Novak Djokovic broke through.

Their head-to-head record favors Nadal, who leads 24–16 overall and has won 10 of their 14 Grand Slam matchups. Despite the fierce competition, their mutual respect has remained a defining trait of their interactions.

Federer and Nadal shared the court in the 2022 Laver Cup (Getty Images)

Federer on exhibitions and a return to tennis

Though golf has become a new interest, Federer isn’t ready to completely walk away from the court. Speaking to TNT Sports, he expressed interest in returning to exhibitions. “Honestly, I would like to play some more tennis again,” he said.

“Enough with the golf already, for the moment. I played so much,” he joked. “I would like to start playing two or three times a week again and hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court. Hopefully, maybe fill up a few nice stadiums around the world.”