Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal: World's greatest ever sporting rivalry in pictures

Popularly known as ‘Fedal’, the Federer–Nadal rivalry is one of the most engaging rivalries in the history of the sport. They have played 34 times, with the 2015 Swiss Indoors final being the duo’s last encounter. Nadal leads the twelve-year-old rivalry 23–11.

Out of their 34 matches, 15 have been played on clay, 16 on hard court, and three on grass. Federer leads on grass (2–1), while Nadal dominates on clay (13–2). Nadal also has the edge over Federer on hard courts (9-7).

From 2006 to 2008, Nadal and Federer have played in every French Open and Wimbledon final. The 2008 Wimbledon Final was lauded as the greatest match ever by many tennis pundits.

Let’s go back in time and relive the greatest rivalry ever in tennis through some pictures.

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Miami Masters Round of 32 (2004)

The Miami Open of 2004 was the birthplace of the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry. There was never a more prophetic tennis match than this one as Nadal (ranked 34) defeated Federer (ranked 1) 6-3,6-3.

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Miami Masters Finals (2005)

After their epic encounter in Key Biscayne the previous year, Federer won the match this time around to clinch the title. Nadal led Federer by two sets and 4–1 in the third before the world No. 1 rolled over the dice to defeat the Spaniard 2–6, 6–7 (4), 7–6 (5), 6–3, 6-1.

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French Open Semi-Finals (2005)

The match was played on the eve of Nadal’s 19th birthday. The Spaniard celebrated with a four-set win (6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3) and as expected dominated the Swiss master on clay.

French Open Final (2006)

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer (1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6) in the finals to win his second consecutive Roland Garros title.

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Wimbledon Final (2006)

Roger Federer emerged the winner, defeating Rafael Nadal in 4 sets (6-0, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3).

Wimbledon Final (2007)

Federer won 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, winning 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles on a trot. The Swiss star led two sets to one before losing his way in the fourth. Though Nadal looked likely to win with all the momentum, Federer hit back strong to break twice in the fifth set to take home the match.

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French Open Final (2007)

Nadal ousted Federer defeating him 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. This was Nadal’s third French Open victory in a row.

French Open Final (2008)

Nadal had dominated Federer on clay for the past three years and this time it was nothing new. The Swiss tried everything within his grasp but Nadal remained invincible as he defeated Federer in straight sets (6-1, 6-3, 6-0).

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Wimbledon Final (2008)

This was one the greatest encounters ever to take place in the history of tennis. In 2008, Nadal was ranked second behind Federer for almost third consecutive year. But the final changed it all.

Nadal defeated the ‘King of grass-court’ 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 to clinch his first Wimbledon title. Following the victory, Nadal became the first man since Bjorn Borg to win both Wimbledon and the French Open in the same calendar year.

Australian Open Final (2009)

Nadal defeated Federer in five sets (7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2) in four hours and twenty-three minutes. The match was lauded as one of the greatest finals played ever at the Australian Open. And the fans got to witness yet another high-quality match between the two of the greats of tennis almost seven months since their epic 2008 Wimbledon Final.

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Australian Open Semi-Finals (2012)

The longtime rivals who met in eight Grand Slam finals earlier were on the same side of the draw for the first time at a major since 2005. However, this time it was Rafael Nadal who ousted Roger Federer 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the semifinal. The Spaniard, however, lost to Serbian Novak Djokovic in five sets in the final.