India to witness Fed Rafa clash in Coca-Cola IPTL Season 2

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will take on each other in the CocaCola IPTL season 2

The year was 2008. The setting, the most hallowed tennis venue in the world – Centre Court at Wimbledon. The prize – the biggest title in the sport.

As Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal furiously battled each other for 4 hours and 48 minutes on that unforgettable day, tennis fans all over the world knew they were witnessing something truly monumental; something that they would likely never see again. And after Nadal pummeled one ferocious forehand too many and Federer succumbed to defeat despite having played his heart out, everyone immediately knew in their hearts the truth that would later be repeated in the history books over and over again.

This was the greatest match of all time. This was the most special rivalry of the generation. This was tennis at its highest, most spectacular peak.

Unfortunately for fans everywhere but at SW19 though, the epic could only be appreciated from a distance. The TV screens did not do justice to the shot-making quality from the two men that day, and they've never been able to fully capture the magnificence of a 'Fedal' match – either before or after that classic.

The Coca-Cola IPTL is all set to correct that in a big way for Indian audiences. In the second season of this multi-city league, Coca-Cola, the lead sponsors, have pulled off the ultimate coup by bringing Federer and Nadal together at the same time.

Federer, representing the UAE Royals, will face off against Nadal of the Indian Aces on the 12th of December at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi. As the two legends trade blows in the singles set of the last tie of the Delhi leg, the dreams of a million fans in India will be fulfilled.

It's difficult to put into words exactly what it will mean for the country's fans to witness a live Fedal battle in the flesh. The two men have put up such tremendous records in their careers that their impact on the game cannot truly be quantified. These are two individuals who have transcended the boundaries of nationality and culture, to become role models for people in every corner of the globe.

When Federer goes to any country in the world, he is greeted with thunderous cheers and wild applause from every spectator. And Nadal has his own legion of devotees, who will go to any lengths to watch him play, egging him on with their vociferous shouts of 'Vamos!'

Then there's the sheer spectacle of the game that they bring to the table. Watching Federer play has occasionally been described as a 'religious' experience; his deft touches and subtle artistry have left spectators spellbound for more than a decade. The magic of a Federer masterclass is something that can transport you to a different realm altogether.

While Federer is all class and elegance, Nadal is the true personification of grit and passion. His fiery spirit and never-say-die attitude have inspired countless people to fight harder in their own personal lives when faced with any obstacle. And his vicious forehands combined with his explosive court coverage have to be seen to be believed – nothing in the sporting world can compare to a Nadal special.

It goes without saying that this Saturday, there will be hordes of Fedheads and Rafalites thronging the Indira Gandhi stadium and willing their hero to win. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, the moment they've been craving for ever since that glorious 2008 Wimbledon final.

All roads lead to Delhi on the 12th of December, where the unthinkable will become a reality. It's Federer vs Nadal in the Coca-Cola IPTL, and you wouldn't want to miss it for the world.